I, Taster
-
KMP
- Posts: 1246
- Joined: Sat Apr 17, 2004 4:02 am
- Location: Expat, now in San Diego, California
- Contact:
Sean: Very interesting post. The only way I can tell if I'm consistent is to be faced with the same wines (or at least some of the same wines) on several different occcasions, preferably in some sort of different format or grouping, and completely blind (the wine that is!). If my notes and scores match then I'm OK - rarely happens!
I'm consistent at sorting out good from bad, and I think most of us are. But give me two groups of cabs over a couple of weekends with a couple of repeats and it can be hard to pick out the repeat wines even though my scores may be very similar. For me the problem is simply memory. I fight very hard to keep my flavor memory intact because I just don't have a good one. I'm always smelling everything - can be embarrassing. My wife said she smelt acetone in a wine we had last night. Acetone? I couldn't smell acetone! I know what acetone smells like - I still couldn't smell it!
Simple conversation can ruin my ability to taste. Well not actual taste, but smell. I don't know why but if people are talking my flavor library goes out the door.
Your point about ISO glasses is interesting. I've used them as my tasting glass for years but recently have switched to vinum. But there is no doubt that there are differences between the two. The ISO, for me, is the better general purpose glass and is easier to hold - even if it does not hold as much wine.
Mike
I'm consistent at sorting out good from bad, and I think most of us are. But give me two groups of cabs over a couple of weekends with a couple of repeats and it can be hard to pick out the repeat wines even though my scores may be very similar. For me the problem is simply memory. I fight very hard to keep my flavor memory intact because I just don't have a good one. I'm always smelling everything - can be embarrassing. My wife said she smelt acetone in a wine we had last night. Acetone? I couldn't smell acetone! I know what acetone smells like - I still couldn't smell it!
Simple conversation can ruin my ability to taste. Well not actual taste, but smell. I don't know why but if people are talking my flavor library goes out the door.
Your point about ISO glasses is interesting. I've used them as my tasting glass for years but recently have switched to vinum. But there is no doubt that there are differences between the two. The ISO, for me, is the better general purpose glass and is easier to hold - even if it does not hold as much wine.
Mike
