To Cleanse or Not to Cleanse? It's Your Palate

To Cleanse or Not to Cleanse? It's Your Palate

 

We taste wine in the social hour before our presentations followed by eight tastings during the meeting session.  What to do about clearing your palate to make the wine you are going to taste be just that new wine?  Cleansing your palate is beneficial to making your wine experience all the better. There are both food and beverage options for palate cleansers. Consider the following when you attend one of our presentations, at the winery or at home with a cozy bottle of wine:

 

-  Tasty bread like a baguette or croissant or a quality cracker because they help absorb the flavor of the previous wine that you just had. 

-  A mild cheese, like cheddar or mozzarella that is fatty enough to break down tannins in the wine. More with reds then whites. 

-  A crisp apple or pear as they add a bit of tartness with some sweetness.

-  Oddly celery may sweep out any leftover wine texture and tannins without leaving an aftertaste. 

-  Not my favorite but green Graber olives due to having a distinct flavor to awaken your taste buds. 

-  For the carnivores, a thin slice of rare roast beef as the fat and protein can eliminate wine flavors, especially heavy reds.

 

If you prefer the liquid cleansing options we recommend:

 

-  Sparkling water and may want to spice it up with lemon or cucumber.

-  A light beer for its effervescent and a twinge of bitterness. 

-  Champagne is always good for its bubbles for refreshing your palate.

 

How do you get your sense of smell back?

 

-  Smell water from a glass

-  Smell your skin and preferrably your forearm if you are in public