The terminology of wine tasting is notoriously loose and
ill-defined and this can cause problems when so-called experts (i.e. geeks like
me) try to explain what a wine is like to a normal person (i.e. you!). What seems
like a useful term within the trade can be confusing (or even off-putting) to a
lot of consumers. One such term, which became fashionable about 12 years ago,
is “minerality”. What is this “minerality” of which we speak? As it happens,
even the great and good aren’t so sure…
About Me
- DermotMW
- Dublin, Ireland
- Hi, I'm Dermot Nolan, and I became a Master of Wine (MW) in 1997, and resigned from the Institute of Masters of Wine in 2023 after being an MW for exactly 26 years. I opened a wine shop in Dún Laoghaire, Ireland, called The Wine Library, which closed in 2018, and this is my personal wine blog. I will do my utmost to be fair and responsible in my posts – please read my Who Pays article in re the ethics of wine trips and writing. I have worked in wine education, retail, and consultancy since 1990. I was a Director of the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) from 2008 to 2014 and was also a member of the Events Committee, founder of the Trips Committee, and member of the Governance Committee. Having had problems with potentially libellous comments from unidentifiable posters, I now require that if you post a comment, you must identify yourself properly or it won't be published. Please note that I do not review products or services on request so kindly don't ask. I value my independence and I believe my readers (few that they may be) do so also.
Showing posts with label tasting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tasting. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Do "experts" matter?
Many years ago, I submitted a bottle of wine to Chelsea FC as I thought it might be a good wine for them to serve. It was Blue White, the groundbreaking South African chenin blanc made by my very dear friends at Old Vines Wine Cellars in Stellenbosch. The wine was in a blue bottle which I thought would be a good fit for the club. Ken Bates wrote back, telling me the wine was too acid (!?) and that he wasn't interested. A short while later, I saw an interview with him where he stated that he didn't believe wine experts knew anything. I often wondered if he felt the same about the doctors who treated him, or the people who made the car he drove! In this day and age of blogs and the like, so many people wonder if wine experts are in any way valid so it's nice to come across a piece explaining why we are!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
A nice Easter present...
Absolute shameless self-promotion: if you're looking for a nice Easter present for some one why not give them my Introduction to wine tasting class! It's a fun day - you get to taste 12 really good wines, learn about tasting in a fun and simple way and you get 6 ISO tasting glasses and lunch as well, all for the great price of €125! To book, go to the Introduction to wine tasting page on my website or email me at learn@dermotnolan.ie.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Diploma in the Rhone
For the Rhone lecture, held on 13th October, the students got a decent range of wines to taste (as I pick the wines, I would say that wouldn't I? LOL). As always, stockists/suppliers in parentheses, details at the end.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Diploma joys for starters.
I suppose one of the benefits of running the WSET Diploma in Ireland is the chance to taste some pretty good wines. This month has been very busy - all in all 8 lectures, all full day events. By the end of today some 77 wines will have been tasted by the 1st and 2nd year students. Stockists in parentheses are listed at the end.
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