Wine tastings are tremendous ways to learn more about wine and to socialize with friends or friends-to-be. I’ve done many and have always come away with new knowledge, new ideas, and new excitement. And I’ve also improved my tasting skills.
An overlooked benefit to improving one’s tasting skills goes beyond wine. You can now use your heightened awareness of taste and smell in other ways. Of course, nothing compares equally with a wine tasting, but…
It all began with Cheerios. As a fan of Cheerios and a shopper at both Trader Joe’s and Wegman’s, I was intrigued about each store’s house version of the classic American cereal, so I did a tasting.
I lined up “Toasted Oats” (from Wegman’s) and “Joe’s O’s” (from Trader Joe’s) against the real thing from General Mills. A blind tasting, modeled exactly after a typical wine tasting, ensued. Can you guess the winner?
I’ve done similar tests, comparing the same cut of steaks from different butchers. I’ve also tested carbonated waters. And the seemingly countless new variations of Oreos. (Check your grocer’s shelf … there’s classic, thin, chocolate filled, chocolate coated, mint, double stuf, mega stuf, latte, golden; and that’s not the half of it.)
So, your wine tasting skill may open new horizons for food appreciation in general. Did I mention it’s also fun? Or that it can lead to serious battles with whomever you’re tasting? It may even change (improve?) your shopping habits.
During a wine tasting it’s best to compare similar products. Like trying several different Zinfandels, or several different vintages of the same wine from the same winery. Comparing things that are too disparate, like a Zinfandel and a Chablis, really doesn’t accomplish much. They’re so different, they don’t present themselves as viable options to pair with the same foods.
Same with cereal. Cheerios versus Captain Crunch? What’s the point? If you favor sweet, the Captain wins before the tasting even begins.
Wegman’s Toasted Oats was my favorite and is now a staple in our pantry. It has a deeper, toastier flavor and a slightly, barely perceptible, crunchier texture; three things I find personally appealing. General Mills’ genuine Cheerios finished second. (No offense … I love Trader Joe’s. Great store!)
Ernest Valtri of Buckingham is a sculptor, graphic designer, and a former member of the PLCB’s Wine Advisory Council. Please contact Erno at ObjectDesign@verizon.net.
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