Wine Club
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Jaclyn Zimmerman (Wined-Up)
4th Wine Tasting, 2019 series
Does the closure matter? Stelvin vs cork… and what about the glass?
Jaclyn provided yet another incredible Sunday wine tasting event for the WOM community, with tons of experiments, experiences and a bunch of laughs. The information breadth and depth is why WOM is so lucky to have her as the Wine Club’s sommelier.
Two unique pieces made this a bonus wine tasting:
Two unique pieces made this a bonus wine tasting:
- The first was the sourcing of a wine that has been bottled with both a Stelvin and a cork. There are very few winemakers in the world that have done this.
- The second is a video call with the actual winemaker to share the experiences of the tasting and learn more from the winemaker.
SUMMARY
There were two objectives in this tasting session.
1) Does the bottle closure matter?
2) Does the glass matter?
Three experiments:
* Two different glasses: same sparkling
* Stelvin vs cork: same glass
* Four different glasses: same wine
There were two objectives in this tasting session.
1) Does the bottle closure matter?
2) Does the glass matter?
Three experiments:
* Two different glasses: same sparkling
* Stelvin vs cork: same glass
* Four different glasses: same wine
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EXPERIMENT ONE
Two glasses, one sparkling * Does the glass matter? The test: * Each person was given two glasses: a classical flute and a classical white wine glass. The result: Yes, the glass does have an effect. And the proof is in the science. First science lesson. The aroma is in the molecule. A flute (champagne glass) -- Has a smaller surface area for the bubbles to be released, so not as many molecules are released. -- The bubbles should last longer. -- A glass that you can mingle and sip the sparkling. A white wine glass -- The opposite is true. -- The surface area is larger which means more aroma can be released. -- This means more bubbles are surfacing and the sparkling can go flat quicker. |
Two glasses, one sparkling
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EXPERIMENT TWO
Does the bottle closure matter? Stelvin vs cork * It is rare to find a winemaker who has bottled one entire vintage equally with two different closures. * The wine: Bangerth, 2014 Spätburgunder. If you want to do the blind tasting yourself, the wine can be purchased from Jaclyn. The test: * Two exactly the same glasses. * One glass had the wine from a Stelvin closure and the other glass from a cork closure. * To ensure this was a true blind tasting, the only person who knew which wine was in what glass (one was marked with a blue dot) was Jaclyn. |
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The result:
- There was no clear majority win.
- A 2014 is still relatively young and so no distinct difference could be made.
The next step….
* Wait another five years and then do the test again. You can purchase the bottles from Jaclyn.
* If you’re impatient you may be able to find an older wine to taste test.
Stelvin benefits:
* Wines that have been made to drink soon after purchasing. The winemaker has matured it for you.
-- The closure prevents any further maturation. The wine will taste the same as the day it was bottled, no matter how long you keep it.
* The taste is often described as ‘fresh’.
Cork benefits:
* Wines that are believed to become better over time.
-- The cork allows for oxygen to enter the bottle and continue interacting with the wine.
* The taste is often described as ‘mature’.
Did you know some winemakers use glass corks?
- There was no clear majority win.
- A 2014 is still relatively young and so no distinct difference could be made.
The next step….
* Wait another five years and then do the test again. You can purchase the bottles from Jaclyn.
* If you’re impatient you may be able to find an older wine to taste test.
Stelvin benefits:
* Wines that have been made to drink soon after purchasing. The winemaker has matured it for you.
-- The closure prevents any further maturation. The wine will taste the same as the day it was bottled, no matter how long you keep it.
* The taste is often described as ‘fresh’.
Cork benefits:
* Wines that are believed to become better over time.
-- The cork allows for oxygen to enter the bottle and continue interacting with the wine.
* The taste is often described as ‘mature’.
Did you know some winemakers use glass corks?
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EXPERIMENT THREE
The Glassware - does it matter? * Four glasses, all different sizes and surface areas. - A water glass - A Burgundy wine glass - A white wine glass - A flute (champagne glass) The test: * Everyone was poured the same wine, Côte de Bordeaux 2011. |
How many glasses can you drink wine from?
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The result:
* Yes, the glass does have an effect on the taste.
-- Wine in a flute (champagne glass) is not the best choice.
-- Burgundy and white wine glasses were similar tastes.
-- Water glass? Well, not the prettiest, but still better than a flute.
In the end
* If you have to buy one wine glass, it seems that a white wine glass is the best option.
* If you have enough glasses, why not play this game with friends?
* Yes, the glass does have an effect on the taste.
-- Wine in a flute (champagne glass) is not the best choice.
-- Burgundy and white wine glasses were similar tastes.
-- Water glass? Well, not the prettiest, but still better than a flute.
In the end
* If you have to buy one wine glass, it seems that a white wine glass is the best option.
* If you have enough glasses, why not play this game with friends?
Word of Mouth x Wined-Up would like to thank the winemakers producers for their hard work in making the wines.
Please note all proceeds of the tasting go to Wined-Up to cover the costs of her expertise and all the expenses contributing to providing a quality tasting.
Word of Mouth reaches out to experts in areas believed to be of interest and benefit to the community. If you are a specialist and would like to collaborate with Word of Mouth or if you have a suggestion for a workshop you'd be interested in, please share it with WOM.
Word of Mouth reaches out to experts in areas believed to be of interest and benefit to the community. If you are a specialist and would like to collaborate with Word of Mouth or if you have a suggestion for a workshop you'd be interested in, please share it with WOM.
Return to see what other insightful information was shared at other tastings.