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Reverse blow wine tasting

M mistermeadMember
Okay my title is a little funny I know- What I am referring to is the act of sucking in air when you get a taste of wine in your mouth to sort of open up the flavor.

My question is, why haven't I EVER seen anyone else do this other than my wine class instructor? I bought some seats at a benefit for Master Sommolier students a couple years ago in SF. Each table had it's own Master Sommolier and Wine Maker (we got the president of DuckHorn, which was awesome) to take the guests through special pairings with the wineries finest wines. The Sommolier was shocked when I did it (the reverse blow) and asked where I learned it. Then he proceeded to tell me how important it was for proper tasting.

I feel like a total nerd when I do it in public (especially when I accidentally dribble wine down my shirt), but the wine tastes so good when I do it! Anyone else do the reverse blow or am I a weirdo?
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M mistermeadMember
Wow, I expected some hilarious comebacks to that one. I quite literally laughed out loud.

Okay at least I am not crazy. Yes, the wine bottle should be prepped, but we all know that's not always the case. Although I wish it were. I was on a date with a girl a few months ago, went to take my first sip of wine, did my "reverse blow" (it's habit and I do it very discretely to avoid being noticed), and wine dripped out of my mouth and straight down my shirt.... First sip, first impression- Fail.

As for gargling and selecting life partners? Those require not comment. Those are both winning comments in my book.
G gregtMember
G-man has a good point regarding the terminology - if "reverse blow" is actually sucking, then it's clearer to say so. But more confusing yet is the fact that you're getting wine down your shirt. Are you perhaps reverse reverse blowing? In other words, blowing?

If you blow wine out all over your wife, she may or may not like it, but I don't think it's appropriate in public. There are places for that kind of thing.

Anyhow, the sucking in is for a couple reasons but mostly to free up some volatile aromatic compounds that let you better experience the retronasal qualities of the wine. It's not quite the same as decanting. You don't have to do it. Sometimes it helps, not always and I don't do it all the time when I'm tasting if I get enough information w/out doing it. And you can also do it quite quietly - I think some people do stuff like that to show off a little bit. Trust me, you'll get far more attention if you just blow the wine out all over the room.
J jorgerunfastMember
quote:
Originally posted by GregT:
G-man has a good point regarding the terminology - if "reverse blow" is actually sucking, then it's clearer to say so. But more confusing yet is the fact that you're getting wine down your shirt. Are you perhaps reverse reverse blowing? In other words, blowing?

If you blow wine out all over your wife, she may or may not like it, but I don't think it's appropriate in public. There are places for that kind of thing.

Anyhow, the sucking in is for a couple reasons but mostly to free up some volatile aromatic compounds that let you better experience the retronasal qualities of the wine. It's not quite the same as decanting. You don't have to do it. Sometimes it helps, not always and I don't do it all the time when I'm tasting if I get enough information w/out doing it. And you can also do it quite quietly - I think some people do stuff like that to show off a little bit. Trust me, you'll get far more attention if you just blow the wine out all over the room.


great post Smile

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