Why Wine Communication Is Tricky & Wine Whispering - Part I

Seems strange that one wine can have opposite reactions from different drinkers. Yet it is super common. This is what makes communication about wines tricky. It is the art of honing in on what people like and how they experience it. While I described this challenge to a friend, she astutely responded: “So you are effectively an interpreter!”

A wine whisperer even.

Frankly, this is the best part of my job!

Body is often a key portion of the ”interpretation” of wine. When we sample wines at Cork on Thursdays and Fridays, people often react to the wine’s body – without being aware of it.

“Oh, it’s quite watery, eh?”  says one patron, while for the same wine the next person says: “Oh, so nice and light, refreshing and easy drinking! Love it – I’ll take two!

Next with a fuller red wine: “Now this I like, it’s got substance,” and another says: “Oh, this is too much for me, I usually drink whites, you see.”

Fuller? Please talk English, Eveline!

Allow me to define body.

Body is the fullness perceived in the mouth before swallowing the wine. A wine’s body is categorized as light, medium, or full body.

Fullness is a function of viscosity and weight of the wine and any other sensation created in terms of texture.

Still not fully in English, sista!

OK. The classic example is low fat milk versus whipping cream. The low-fat milk is more watery, and lower viscosity due to lower fat. There is also not much texture or sensation in the mouth. Conversely, whipping cream has more weight with its higher viscosity, and feels creamy and rich as it coats the cheeks and gums. Significantly more texture with the cream.

Interested in delving more on wine interpretation and body? Tune in next week for Part 2! See you then! Can’t wait!

Hey! In the meantime, check out this value wine*. I define value as a wine that punches above its weight in terms of price! A find at ~$25.

Valle de Nabal 2019 from Bodegas Nabal in Ribera Del Duero, west of Rioja in northern Spain.

Style:  Medium body old world oaked red wine

Variety:  100% Tempranillo

It is lively, balanced and tastes of red deep cherry, blackberry, and blueberry with very well integrated oak tannins and flavors of cedar, chocolate, and clove. The tannins are smooth enough that food pairing is not necessary, but the tannins are definitely present. (It is on the fuller side of medium body.) Ideal pairings are roasted meat, charcuterie and tapas.  It paired beautifully with gazpacho, Spanish tortilla, and grilled chimichurri chicken. Serve cooler than you think you should at ~ 16 degrees Celsius.

*click to link on where available in Alberta, Canada (Cork sold out Monday but a new shipment is arriving Oct 25, 2023 just in time for the Anniversary sale on Thursday Oct 26, 2023! 20% off the whole store)