Wine tasting to stay human

Enjoying wine as an act of mindfulness

I often say that one of the many reasons why I love wine is because it brings us back to basics. “Erm, wine… basic? How can something so vast and complex, which some people study for years and [sometimes] costs a lot of money, be basic?!”. I hear you; but bear with me.

These days, we’re constantly exposed to digital technology and information overload. Whether we are trying to keep up with the new trick AI can perform, looking up at the sky to find an army of satellites launched into space by billionaires, or simply scrolling through social media, this ‘always on’ world leaves little space to fully engage our senses and allow them to inform our most basic instincts. Thankfully, we can choose to still find and create those moments that make us feel human.

The act of tasting wine is one of the most mindful, yet elementary activities we can perform. Think about it - when you have a glass of wine in front of you, and especially if you pause to analyse it, you’re immediately activating your senses.

SOUND

Starting with the joy that comes from hearing the so-called “PHUT” sound of a champagne cork being removed; the calming melody of a bottle being poured into a decanter or glass; the clinking of the glasses when you toast; and the accidental clinking of empty bottles in the recycling bin if you’ve finished more than one…

TOUCH

By holding a glass, you can feel the stem, the base. Perhaps you notice the temperature of the wine in it. You soften your grip not to squeeze the glass because it could break. At some point, the rim touches your lips, perhaps even the bridge of your nose if it’s a big glass and your face is small like mine.

SIGHT

There is so much you can learn about a wine just by looking at it. Whether it is observing the ‘different tones of red’, the motion of the wine reaching different parts of the glass when held at an angle; the legs (or tears) slowly travelling down from the top to reunite with the remaining last drops.

SMELL

Your nose, oh your lucky nose, and all those different aromas it gets to perceive… and with it, the memories. “What was that snack I used to enjoy as a kid that smells like this?”; “Is it me or does this remind you of the smell of the sea?” (looking at you Albariño and Assyrtiko). Also, the anticipation of thinking you know what something might taste like just from having smelled it - and the excitement of being almost certain you will enjoy it.

TASTE

The liquid making its way into your mouth and passing through your different sensors. First, perceiving the sweetness at the tip of the tongue; then, the salty and sour notes felt closer to your cheeks, and any potential bitterness making a pit stop at the back of your tongue… and once the wine travels further down, the aftertaste. Those seconds of still savouring something that was there just a moment ago and you can still perceive.

With all of this going on, even if it’s in a matter of seconds, your mind gets to focus on the present moment. No distractions, no flashing lights, no vibrations other than those coming from inside and the pleasure of what you’re drinking. And that, to me, is the joy of going back to basics.

Our wine recommendation of the month

We will always only feature wines we have tried ourselves and will always provide our honest opinion.

Name: Encarinyades
Producer: Còsmic Vinyaters (organic and biodynamic)
Grape variety: White, grey and black Carignan! (Cariñena in Spanish)
Vintage: 2021
Region: Empordà, Catalonia, Spain
Where we had it: Casa Lhasa, Ibiza (specialised in natural wines, fantastic list and staff recommendations!!)

Everything about this wine felt right: from the fun label - three ladies representing the three Carignan varieties dancing under a half moon -, to the freshness and fruitiness on the nose and palate, which accompanied our al fresco summer dining. What is very particular about this wine is that, although it is pale ruby in colour, it could be classified as either red or white, given the blend of the Carignan grape varieties, all coming from a single vineyard. Winemaker Salvador Batlle is part of a new generation of young, passionate winemakers putting white carignan, a traditional variety in the DO Empordà, back on the list of outstanding Catalonian wines.

With a modest 12% abv, this was the perfect summer wine - although even if we’re entering autumn, we are sure to continue drinking it!

Get in touch and share the joy!

Please get in touch contact@vinjoyment.com if you’d like to explore some ideas for a wine tasting or any collaborations.

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