Suparna Puri | |
Say cheers!
There are tea tasters in eastern India, coffee tasters in south India and now there is a new breed of wine tasters. Most of us sip wine at parties but have we ever considered wine tasting as a career option?
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We strive for perfection in whatever we undertake, be it work, studies or sports. The perfection syndrome has even affected our culinary habits and an entire population of tasting experts has been born, whose primary job is to nibble at food or sip drinks.
Wine tasting is all about understanding what your senses are telling you when you smell or take a sip of the drink. The profession is new and yet to gain currency here (unlike abroad) but it is still an upcoming career option, suitable for those who do not wish to get stuck to the 9-5 routine.
Job profile
A wine taster has to identify the varieties grapes used to make the wine and also judge whether the wine can be kept for further ageing. After all as they say , old wines taste better.
Job profile
A wine taster has to identify the varieties grapes used to make the wine and also judge whether the wine can be kept for further ageing. After all as they say , old wines taste better.
Therefore, it is fundamental that he recognizes elements such as balance, length, midpalate concentration and finish or aftertaste. You see it helps to know about winemaking: the various flavours of oak (vanilla, toastiness),the effects of wine making techniques such as barrel fermentation ( a thicker mouth feel) and the techniques of flavour and colour extraction (cold maceration, vaccum concentration, enzymes etc.)
As a result of globalization , we are being influenced by the western culture of wine drinking. However, it takes a lot of passion to be a good wine taster. One must have a complete knowledge of the origin and history, the varieties of grapes used et al.
Above all, you must know the right questions to ask of each wine.If there is one thing that separates true wine judges from those who, however impressively, can win blind tastings, its knowing not just the wine, but the context. what characteristics of flavour and structure are appropriate for this particular wine?
Tasting acuity alone cannot is insufficient; its judgement that counts. If you wish to excel, then you'll have to have to be a non smoker and avoid spicy food as well. This field is certainly not for someone who believes that wine tasting is just like any other job. It necessarily requires the excitement and the desire to taste something new and share it with people who love it too.
Where to study?
There are very few institutes offering professional courses in wine tasting. The Stir Academy of Bartending, Mumbai, and the cocktails and Dreams School of Bartending, New Delhi, include wine tasting as part of the training programme.
As a result of globalization , we are being influenced by the western culture of wine drinking. However, it takes a lot of passion to be a good wine taster. One must have a complete knowledge of the origin and history, the varieties of grapes used et al.
Above all, you must know the right questions to ask of each wine.If there is one thing that separates true wine judges from those who, however impressively, can win blind tastings, its knowing not just the wine, but the context. what characteristics of flavour and structure are appropriate for this particular wine?
Tasting acuity alone cannot is insufficient; its judgement that counts. If you wish to excel, then you'll have to have to be a non smoker and avoid spicy food as well. This field is certainly not for someone who believes that wine tasting is just like any other job. It necessarily requires the excitement and the desire to taste something new and share it with people who love it too.
Where to study?
There are very few institutes offering professional courses in wine tasting. The Stir Academy of Bartending, Mumbai, and the cocktails and Dreams School of Bartending, New Delhi, include wine tasting as part of the training programme.
A number of other organizations like the Delhi Wine Club , the Wine Society , Sopexa (the French Food and Wine Agricultural Export Promotion Agency) and private companies have been doing their bit towards popularizing wine drinking.
However, there are a very few tasters in the world with a recognized MW, which is a Masters of Wine Diploma conferred by the Institute of Master of Wine, London.
The L'Universite du Vin, France, also conducts a post graduate diploma in wine tasting (Sommelier-Conseil). In India , institutes that conduct training in hostel management have wine tasting as part of the programme.
The Indian Wine Academy in New Delhi conducts short term wine appreciation courses. Students, however, do not get the opportunity to taste wine as legal age for drinking alcohol is 25!
Profile: Suparna Puri, Director, Mantra Studios Pvt. Ltd is an out and out media person. A journalist to begin with, Suparna has amassed an eclectic set of skills by dabbling in theatre production and being an active radio presenter.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are purely those of the columnist.
MSN does not necessarily subscribe to them.
However, there are a very few tasters in the world with a recognized MW, which is a Masters of Wine Diploma conferred by the Institute of Master of Wine, London.
The L'Universite du Vin, France, also conducts a post graduate diploma in wine tasting (Sommelier-Conseil). In India , institutes that conduct training in hostel management have wine tasting as part of the programme.
The Indian Wine Academy in New Delhi conducts short term wine appreciation courses. Students, however, do not get the opportunity to taste wine as legal age for drinking alcohol is 25!
Profile: Suparna Puri, Director, Mantra Studios Pvt. Ltd is an out and out media person. A journalist to begin with, Suparna has amassed an eclectic set of skills by dabbling in theatre production and being an active radio presenter.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are purely those of the columnist.
MSN does not necessarily subscribe to them.
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