Originally posted in an Auswine forum discussion about palate education, Mike gives us some practical information for educating our palate.

Ah, learning to taste and educate the palate. Sometimes I think its like learning to play golf. You really need instruction to get the technique down and then its practice, practice, practice. And that practice should include thinking about the flavours in things other than wine, like food, because the biggest stumbling block is not having a large library of flavour descriptors to help you accurately describe what you are tasting; even if its for yourself.

For example if a wine tastes like the wringing from a camel drivers loin cloth its important that you have that experience stored away in memory so that you can bring it out and show everyone the depth and breadth of your tasting experience!

Seriously, education through quality Wine Appreciation or Tasting classes is an important first step. Most of the best courses will go through the technical aspects of tasting and should also include tasting of different wine styles. You can often meet others at such courses who are willing to taste after class which will at the very least expand your wine exposure and maybe even be the start of a serious tasting group. Its been so long since I did this type of course that I can’t recommend anything. But you might like to check out the Wine Diva’s site on Enthusiast Courses – that is if you are in Australia!

Books on tasting are also important. Michael Broadbent's Wine Tasting is a must as is Emile Peynaud’s The Taste of Wine: The Art and Science of Wine Appreciation. Broadbent’s is a gem of a little book, while Peynaud’s is more technical and can be a struggle; I know as I’m rereading it at present. Jancis Robinson’s How to Taste : A Guide to Enjoying Wine is also supposed to be very good; although I’ve not read it. However her 'The Oxford Companion to Wine' is a must for anyone wanting to expand their wine knowledge, or just as a reference work.

You should also find a reputable wine shop, preferably a specialist wine shop and not the local supermarket. Many specialist shops have tastings of different wine styles and you should go to these as often as you can. These tastings should bring you into contact with more serious and experienced tasters than the wine appreciation course and you can learn a lot by watching and talking to them.

You can be as serious as you want about developing your palate. You can spend countless hours recording your impressions of various tastes, tracking down wines, drinking wine, and in general debauchery. But remember in the end its just fermented grape juice and there to be enjoyed.

PS. It can be hard (expensive!) to do but you should also take Len Evan's advice and drink only quality wine.

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About the Author
Mike writes about wine for a hobby and records his thoughts in a Blog site at http://shirazshiraz.blogspot.com/