Today we will be wine tasting, your sommelier will be @XtrodinaryPilot.  Welcome to the #SteemitWineClub. We won't taste any wine until we cover the basics.

How to pick a wine?

Well this is an easy one. Never let anyone tell you that your desired wine is not good enough. Remember that not everyone's palate is the same. Some people crave sweet, while other's prefer bold and sometimes bitter and even sour. Personally, I'm more of a bold and bitter kinda guy. Today I chose 2014 Freakshow Red Blend by Michael David Winery in Lodi, Ca. It is a heavy red blend that is very Cabernet forward. We'll save the tasting notes for later in the post.

Choosing the correct vessel.

This may seem like a very minuscule step but the devil is in the details. Choosing an incorrect glass could significantly change the taste of the wine. For bolder wines, select a balloon shaped wineglass to allow the wine to aerate and to allow the wine to develop its full bouquet. Wine needs room to breathe and a tapered shape is the best for releasing the aroma. That is called the "nose". It's also important to make sure the glass doesn't have any cracks and chards missing from the rim. Simply put, the glass has to be clean.

Choosing the correct wine opener.

This too is a matter of preference. My wife and I prefer to use the double hinged wine keys because they are the easiest for us. The idea is to minimize the amount of cork sediment you allow in the wine.

1. Waiter's Corkscrews(double hinged)
2. Twist Corkscrews
3. Air Pressure Corkscrews
4. Winged Corkscrews
5. Electric Corkscrews
6. Lever Corkscrews
7. Air Pump Corkscrews
8. Ah So Openers

SMELL YOUR CORK. If it's rank or smells like ass aka vinegar, don't bother tasting it.

Servant Tasting (is it poison)

When serving wine whether to yourself or others it is important to pour an ounce just to taste. The history behind the initial taste was to protect royalty from poisoning by a designated taster (servant).

 Now ain't that some shit? The current purpose is to make sure the wine has not gone bad and is ok for consumption. In a restaurant setting it's also to make sure the purchaser is satisfied. ARE YOU SATISFIED?

Ain't That a Bitch?!?! Credit

LET'S DRINK!!!!!!

Tasting Notes

Aromas of Blackberry cobbler, toasted walnuts, espresso bean and hints of brandy. The wine is weighty with a velvet-like texture boasting flavors of ripe brambleberry jam, toffee, and dark chocolate mousse followed by wisps of pipe tobacco and mesquite.

Take Away!

Enjoying wine is as simple as drinking water. It's even more enjoyable when you know how to properly serve yourself and others. Just a little knowledge goes along way. All pretentious attitudes aside, I look forward to being your sommelier again at the #STEEMITWINECLUB 

Do you have an interest or love wine? join the #STEEMITWINECLUB

Are you enjoying my posts and stories?  If so, please UPVOTE and FOLLOW @xtrodinarypilot our life is an adventure