Tonight I have secretly selected a wine for Denise, and she has chosen one for me.

In the show, we will discuss the blind-tasting process, and after discovering each wine's true identity, we will discuss the characteristics (tells) for each.

Blind-tasting involves the 5 S’s.

See
Swirl
Sniff
Sip
State

You can get a “Deductive Tasting Form” from the Court of Master Sommeliers online.

https://www.mastersommeliers.org/

Tonight, we are blinding tasting two wines including:

2022 Tread Softly Pinot Noir from Western Australia. This wine was purchased at Wine Styles for $14.39. It is a translucent cherry juice color, with aromas of ripe strawberries and raspberries, white pepper, dried herbs, and gentle flower nuances. The Wine Enthusiast rated this wine a 89.
2016 Senorio De Villarrica, Rioja Reserva, from Spain. I purchased this wine from Costco for $16.99, and the Wine Enthusiast rated it a 94. Aromas of black cherry, butterscotch and violet, with a touch of black-olive. Flavors of black cherry and pomegranate, sleek tannins and notes of milk chocolate, lavender, and roasted fennel bulb.

Next week we will have a challenge show. It is Bordeaux versus California Cabernet.

2018 Tribute Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine was purchased from Costco for $9.99, and comes from Livermore, California.
2019 Chateau de Marsan. This wine was also purchased from Costco for $7.99. The wine comes from the Lestiac-sur-Garonne district in Cadillac and is made of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet.