Q&A: Wine & Food Questions
Grapes
I am intrigued about the diferent varieties of grapes used for he production of wine and wondered if there are any \"Grape tastings\" avaible. I am curious as to what they actually taste like incomparison to just regular store bought grapes. Are they ever available for purchase and wondered if any one else is curious about them?
Answer From Expert Becky Sue Epstein
Interesting question.
There aren't grape tastings for a few reasons, among them:
-- hardly anyone asks
-- the minute the grapes are ready to harvest, they are brought in and used for wine
-- they have a different flavor profile from table grapes, and would be difficult for consumers to evaluate
Wine grapes or juice (must) can be purchased for making your own wine -- look online.
About The Expert
Becky Sue Epstein is an experienced lifestyle writer and editor, concentrating on wine and spirits. For the past twenty years she has provided food, wine and spirits coverage for local, regional, and national publications including Art & Antiques, Food &
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Answer From Expert Roger C. Bohmrich, MW
I am not aware of "grape tastings" as such. You can purchase grapes for home winemaking from various sources, but there is usually a minimum weight, so this isn't practical for your purposes.
Probably the best way to taste a range of grapes from different varieties would be to visit a vineyard at or near harvest. There is no question that you can note differences in aroma and taste as you chew the grapes, although making the connection between the overall taste profile of the fruit and the finished wine is not necessarily obvious. To get a reasonable sense, taste several grapes of the same variety. Chew just the skin of one, the pulp of another, the pips or seeds of a third, and, last, the entire grape.
About The Expert
Roger has enjoyed a lengthy career in the wine trade as an importer and retailer, and at present he is an educator, speaker and consultant. He set up and managed Millesima USA, a New York merchant affiliated with Europe's leader in direct sales of fine wines to consumers. Previously, he served as senior executive of Frederick Wildman & Sons, traveling regularly around the world to visit wineries and taste the new vintage from barrel. Roger became one of America's first Masters of Wine in 1993.
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