Leo Bueno wrote:
Wondering what your take is on the technique of evaluating a wine by
the typical one sip and spit method, used of necessity at wine
tastings.

I find that one sip can be used to rule out a bad wine, but it's not
enough to fully appreciate the good ones. In other words, wines that
are merely good upon sipping at first later get better the more of
them I drink (i.e., don't spit), while others do not

So, it looks to me that to fully evaluate a wine, one has to drink it.

So, it looks to me that to fully evaluate a wine, one has to drink it.

I agree. When I took my wine exams a few years, I was taught to use the
swill and spit method to evaluate the wines, and to help choose those that
one should "spit backwards"!

Peter Taylor

Peter Taylor wrote:

> I find that one sip can be used to rule out a bad wine, but it's not
> enough to fully appreciate the good ones. In other words, wines that
> are merely good upon sipping at first later get better the more of
> them I drink (i.e., don't spit), while others do not
> So, it looks to me that to fully evaluate a wine, one has to drink it.
> So, it looks to me that to fully evaluate a wine, one has to drink it.

I pretty much agree with everything you have said except the last sentence.
I go to a lot of tastings where between 50 and 1500 wines are poured. I
spit the wines that I think are not worth my time. However, I often find
after spitting that I have second thoughts so I sip again and try to
remember to spit.
There is a fine balance that we all have to find of evaluating the wines,
enjoying the event and remaining upright. (at least until we start our drive
home ;-) )

Peter Taylor wrote:
> Leo Bueno wrote:
> Wondering what your take is on the technique of evaluating a wine by
> the typical one sip and spit method, used of necessity at wine
> tastings.
>
> I find that one sip can be used to rule out a bad wine, but it's not
> enough to fully appreciate the good ones. In other words, wines that
> are merely good upon sipping at first later get better the more of
> them I drink (i.e., don't spit), while others do not
>
> So, it looks to me that to fully evaluate a wine, one has to drink it.
>
> I agree. When I took my wine exams a few years, I was taught to use the
> swill and spit method to evaluate the wines, and to help choose those that
> one should "spit backwards"!
>
> Peter Taylor
>
While I can understand the "swill and spit" method to evaluate wines, the
thought of a fine bottle of Bordeau ending up in the "spit bucket" brings
tears to my eyes. I would make sure I had a designated driver, and swallow
every drop!

JMHO,
Dick R.