wine according to dr. capponi

Today was a good day, a long day, but a good day. Why? Because we spent our three hour History of Tuscany class learning about the true gem of this wonderful land, wine. What started off as a mere explanation of the essence of a good wine eventually turned into a much needed, in-school wine tasting. 

Let me share with you the steps of wine tasting according to the one and only Dr. Capponi:

1. Examine the color of the wine. Deep brick red. Softer, more pink, red. Almost black red. The colors vary depending on the area the wine is from, the age of the wine, and the types of grapes used. Today, it was a five year old Tuscan wine. Color? Maroon, with almost a hint of pink, red. 

2. Smell. Smell for "imperfection," as he told us. Pay attention to the "bouquet" of the wine, the chemical reactions of the sugars, acids, and alcohols that bring a unique scent to the wine. The stronger the bouquet, usually the stronger the taste of the wine

3. Make sure to get oxygen flowing as you sip. This results in a rather unlady like sucking noise and you suck in air through your teeth, but it is the only way to oxygenate your wine in order to get the full taste. Make sure to note the "finish," the time that you can feel the warmth and the taste of the wine in the back of your throat; the longer, the better the wine. 

4. Enjoy.

When asked his most favorite wine, Dr. Capponi was quick to answer with a smile and, of course, a story. "A wonderful white from France, and it was not a wine, but rather a love affair," he said. "If I was told that Scarlett Johansson or that bottle of wine was waiting for me in my bedroom, I would say 'Sorry Scarlett, leave me to my wine.'" Clearly must've been a good wine...

As they say here in Italy, "una cena senza vino e come un giorno senza sole", a meal without wine is like a day without sunshine.

Ciao!