Universal Tasting
Here’s a fun tasting to put together that reflects the universal nature of the Church:
Pick a grape variety grown on several continents and taste through the various expressions of that grape from around the globe.
If you really get after it and open a number of bottles you’re going to want not only a group of people to taste this with, but a boat load of glasses- trying to compare multiple wines from a single glass is silly, give each person a few glasses. Identical glasses are going to convey alcohol and aromatics the same way making it easier to compare wines- so if you can, get glasses that match.
I did this with Sauvignon Blanc last Easter and again with Malbec (also for Easter, because we had 50 days to fill), but it can easily be done with a surprising number of grapes: Cabernet, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cab Franc, Reisling, Grenache, Syrah, and others.
What’s the Point?
This tasting is a fun way to not only understand the consistent fundamental character of a particular grape, but it reveals the variations in wine making styles, climates, and soils. In short, it reflects the catholic (lower case c)/universal nature of wine.
One of the most beautiful aspects of the Church is her universal nature.
In pretty much any country or corner of the world we can find a Catholic Church celebrating Mass in the local language, decorated with sacred art, architecture, and revealing glimpses of the local culture, and yet it’s the same Mass, the same readings, the same Eucharistic celebration as is celebrated anywhere else in the world. I love that! And that very same thing shows up in wine as grapes offer us a consistent foundation with diversity of expression.
Here’s what I did:
For this tasting I was able to pickup bottles of Sauvignon Blanc from France, South Africa, United States, New Zealand, and Argentina. Similarly, I grabbed bottles of French, Argentine, and US Malbec.
Tasting guide:
As a general rule, I recommend ordering your pours from coldest climate to warmest- this will help separate the possibly austere flavors of cool climate production from the potentially overbearing ripe extracted flavors that sometimes present in warmer region wines.
As you go through the tasting, here are a few quick things to look for that will help differentiate one wine from another-
Oak (can be indicative of local/regional wine making style)
Intensity (can be indicative of climate)
Quality (how long/structured/balanced it is)
Taste (this is perhaps too obvious, but - similar to attending Mass or saying the rosary - it's easy to go through the motions without thoughtfully reflecting on what we are there to do)
Cheers and God Bless!
