Host a Blind Tasting Party

Here at Beaulieu Vineyard, we are always looking for an opportunity to go deeper into the wines we love and become more discerning, educated wine drinkers. One of our favorite ways to do that is through blind tastings. By blind, we mean that all you know about the wine is that it’s in your glass. Not knowing the AVA, vintage or even varietal eliminates bias so you can focus on your senses. You’ll begin to think more critically about the flavors on your palate, spend more time with the wine and maybe even surprise yourself when you find a new favorite. Here’s how to set up a blind tasting at home.

Prepare Your Space and Wines

Find a clean counter or table and odorless environment to taste in. You don’t want leftover coffee or dinner smells interfering with your ability to taste the wines. Make sure you have a notebook or index cards and pen to write your thoughts as you taste. Next, place your wines in paper bags or completely remove the labels and have someone who isn’t tasting number them. Then, line up your glasses, number them and pour your wines into the corresponding glasses.

Get Tasting

For blind tastings, there are four elements to focus on. As you go through each, take time to really process and make your notes so you can refer to them later.

See

Before you sip, take a moment to observe the wine’s color, what happens when you swirl it around in the glass (its viscosity) and how the color changes when held up to light.

Smell

Take a few whiffs of the wine. What aromas immediately hit you? It can be frustrating to try to separate out just one or two, so instead think about the layers. There are the fruit notes first and then flavors that come from barrel aging like baking spices or tobacco. Try to name at least one for each layer.

Sip

 Take a mouthful of the wine and swish it around. Ask yourself, what does it feel like on your tongue? Is it smooth? Does it make your mouth pucker? Or is it a combination of a few different sensations? Then move on to the actual taste. What flavors are immediately perceptible and which are barely there? Does it taste like it smells?

Savor

Now is your chance to do deeper into all aspects of the wine. Go back over your notes and try to piece together your overall impression of it and make your guess as to the AVA, varietal and vintage. If you disliked it, try to figure out why, and if you loved it, question what characteristics made it so.

Reveal

Once you’re done with your notes, it’s time for the big reveal! If you have the time, research where the grapes came from and the winemaking and aging processes. You might be surprised what you learn. Beaulieu Vineyards has an assortment of wonderful wines to enhance your next blind tasting experience.