01/09/05 Monday question - Palate cleansing

Welcome to Vine to Wine this is your host Linda Moran and on today's program we will be answering the email. Recently a listener wrote to ask just what is meant by the reference to "cleansing ones palate" during wine tasting. What a great question  the reference to cleansing your palate while tasting a variety of wines is based upon the assumption that you want your palate to be alert and uninfluenced by any flavors from wines or foods that preceded the wine that you are now focusing upon. In other words, not only is your full attention directed to the wine but, your mouth is in good form to accurately taste it. There is an easy solution to overcoming eating something unsuitable, or drinking a strongly flavored wine, prior to your next tasting  simply have something such as a drink of water or a piece of plain white bread. This will neutralize your palate and bring it back so that you can move on to evaluate the next wine. However, there are a few things that you should steer clear of such as mint, chocolate, spicy foods and of course strong fragrances. You see if you can't smell the wine you will not be able to taste it. All of the bread and water you partake, probably won't help you to smell completely. Some tasting situations offer a cup of coffee beans to sniff. It is supposed to help bring your nose around and ready it to inhale the next wine. It doesn't seem to work for everyone though. The bottom line is that cleansing your palate is refreshing it to be able to taste the next wine. Remember to send your wine questions to Linda at vine to wine dot net and thank you for joining me on today's Vine to Wine.