A passionate palate

Winning an international wine competition is a huge achievement, especially given the popularity of wine in today’s society. Last week’s article applauded the dedication and training required to become a member of a competitive wine-tasting team. Apart from having a deep passion for wine, the team must have access to wines from all over the world. And, in order to succeed, they will need an already well-schooled coach who can instruct and motivate the team members. By noting and recording the nuances that identify a varietal, region, appellation and vintage, the team’s palates are trained to recognize all the varietals and vintages that might be presented at an international blind taste wine competition.

There are also yearly tasting competitions for tea, coffee, beer, cider, chocolate and so much more. Each year, at the world’s largest tea fair in Hamburg, company tasters from around the world purchase teas that reflect the taste profiles of their country. Tea is becoming increasingly expensive, since the leaves are hand-harvested, the crop is limited, and worldwide demand is growing. Some Chinese teas command significantly higher prices based on their quality and quantity. As with fine wines, you will find that many teas are a blend of different teas from different countries.

In a similar vein, coffee beans are purchased in bulk and then roasted to specific requirements for a particular market or coffee chain. As our tastes have become more demanding, the global hunt for new flavours and aromas has surged. Consequently, we now have access to “fair trade” coffee for which the grower receives a better price. There is always a preferred pecking order for any commodity and, for coffee, the Jamaican Blue Mountain is the sought-after brand.

Beer is another fine example where each nation will produce beer, lager or stout according to the preferred taste profiles of their people. In these days of mass production, however, many beer drinkers prefer to consume small-batch craft beer suited to their individual taste. (Think Americans and their support of Samuel Adams beer.) Many of these breweries are springing up, not only in the County, but also throughout Ontario.

Dedicated tasters devote their life to tasting and grading all and more of the above. Regardless of the beverage (or indeed food), the professional taster requires a passionate, dedicated and disciplined palate.

THIS WEEK’S PICK
A big shout out to Hillier Creek Winery for its gold medal award at the Royal Winter Fair. Their 2014 Gamay Noir was judged the best red wine under $35.

Styled after a gamay from Beaujolais, this wine displays the characteristics of a Moulinà- Vent. Apart from the forward red fruits and leather notes, the palate explodes over a range of red fruit, soft spices and prunes.

Available for $22 at their winery (on the Loyalist Highway just west of Hillier) this wine is a delight.