Tasting test

Hopefully we could figure out something before spring, but if not I'd spring for multiple tickets to Dan's tasting.

I certainly don't think that a spitting, experienced taster can't tell anything after 150-200 tastes in one day. My position is that I'd have to see evidence that a critic is tasting as acutely after all of those tastes. If someone is putting out professional notes and scores, a reader should expect that all of the notes were tasted by someone "at the top of their game." If one actually believes that wines are quantifiable down to a point, then I'd love to see a critic do the test I described. But to date I've never seen a critic willing to do such a blind test arranged by an impartial party.

Dale, Hi....

I would most certainly be willing to be "put to the test" on 150-200 wines but only on several conditions.

(a) The tasting would be single blind, so that I would know either the region or the grape varieties in various flights
(b) The tasting would have to be set, as much as possible, going from the white to the rose, to the red and from light to heavy within each category.
(c) There should be a reasonable range of vintages - say a three-five year period
(d) The glasses used would have to be checked carefully by either me or one of my assistants before the tasting to ensure that they were soap and aroma clean
(e) Wines would be served in flights of anywhere from 8-10 wines per flight and the flow of wines to my tasting table would have to be without unnecessary interrptions
(f) At least 5% of the wines would be "doubled-up" that is to say same wine in differently numbered glasses
(g) One of my assistants would have to be present at the pouring to make sure there are no errors (she would have no contact with me during the entire tasting)
(h) The tasting area would be one free of aromas, with good overhead lighting, at least relative quiet (I might choose to play some music in the background but that would depend entirely on my mood) and access to the tasting area would be only to myself, one or two witnesses to the tasting, and to those pouring and serving the wines. None of those people would be wearing any perfume, after-shave lotion or makeup with aromas. Ideally none of them would be overly perspiring.
(i) I would like the tasting to start at between 7 -8 in the morning but no later than 9 a.m.

Not an ultimate "condition" but a suggestion - it might be a good deal easier to arrange such a tasting if it were limited to one, two or three categories of wine in all (e.g. whites from Tuscany; Brunello di Montalcino of a three-four year period;
Cabernet Sauvignon wines from a large variety of nations and wine regions, etc, etc.....) Later, when we dio dinner, I wiull insist on beer for myself!!!

If such a setting could be arranged and the wines found, I would be more than delighted to pay my air-fare, hotels and meal expenses. Being perfectly honest, whether I pass or "fail" the test, it will make for some damned good articles on my part and perhaps for others well. Sheesh....even if I "fail", I'll have demonstrated a certain level of integrity and that counts!

I would also suggest that one might find such a tasting "a reason for a party", because there will be a heckuva lot of wines left for drinking. After my own tasting (or even parallel to it) others might care to undertake a similar tasting, but that in an area completelly separated from my own tasting area. That would take some logistics, but that I leave in your capable hands.

In all seriousness, such a "test" might be greatly rewarding and I would do anything I could to help in settiing it up. Wine acquisition would of course be up to the organizers. If we do get to a serious planning stage on this I suggest that we communicate not here (such a thread could become complex and boring) but by email. I'll even set aside a special section for such posts at danielrogov@yahoo.com

Very best
Rogov

Interesting offer, Rogov, maybe I'll see if we can do something. I know a few other pros, maybe they would play, it would make it more cost effective than opening 200 bottles for one (or three people). In any case I don't think you could "fail", because if I recall correctly you said you wouldn't use a mega-tasting like that for your official scores. Some "misses" would just confirm the idea of palate fatigue, not say anything re you as a critic.

[David M. Bueker]

As stated earlier I am more than willing to set up a 30 or so bottle flight of Rieslings to be a part of any event.