Yes, there are guidelines for selecting wines with varying levels of oak influence in a horizontal tasting. When conducting a horizontal tasting of wines with different oak influences, it’s important to consider several factors to ensure a balanced and informative tasting experience.
Factors to Consider
- Oak Influence: Consider the level of oak influence in each wine, ranging from low to high.
- Wine Varietal: Different grape varietals interact with oak in unique ways, so consider the varietal of each wine.
- Age of Wine: Older wines tend to have more oak influence due to longer aging periods in oak barrels.
- Personal Preferences: Take into account your personal preferences for oak influence in wine.
Guidelines for Selecting Wines
When selecting wines for a horizontal tasting with varying levels of oak influence, consider the following guidelines:
- Choose wines from the same vintage to ensure consistency in aging and oak influence.
- Select wines from the same region to highlight regional oak preferences and styles.
- Include wines with varying oak influences, such as unoaked, lightly oaked, and heavily oaked wines.
- Consider the grape varietal and its compatibility with oak aging when choosing wines.
Conducting the Tasting
When conducting a horizontal tasting of wines with varying oak influences, follow these steps:
- Start with the wine with the lowest oak influence and progress to wines with higher oak influence.
- Take notes on the aroma, flavor, and mouthfeel of each wine to compare the oak influence.
- Consider how oak influence enhances or detracts from the overall balance and complexity of the wine.
- Discuss your findings with other tasters to gain different perspectives on the oak influence in the wines.