Winners of the IV Spanish Blind Tasting Championship by teams May 2023

Last May we had the opportunity to compete in the Spanish Championship of Blind Tasting by Teams held in Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, in the historic cellar of Gramona, Catalonia. The team number 1 that day was "Team Coupage", our team, and we won the 4^th Spanish Team Blind Tasting Championship.

Our team is formed by Paulius Gudinavicius (WSET Diploma and manager of BlancoTinto), David Selma (wine lover), Yana Markos (wine enthusiast) and Valeria Valdebenito (sommelier and WSET Diploma student).

We were proclaimed winners in an edition with record participation, more than 30 teams from all over the country, and with an increasingly high level of participants. The championship was a qualifier for the World Tasting Championship organized by the Revue du Vin de Franceand therefore we will represent Spain at the World Championship to be held in Provence (France) on 14 October.

What is a Blind wine tasting?

Is a wine evaluation technique where the taster samples and assesses a wine without knowing its identity or label. This approach removes potential biases that can come from preconceived notions about a wine's quality based on its brand, price, or origin.

How do we train?

Preparation:

Gather the necessary materials: wine glasses, wine pourer, wine bottles with concealed labels or wine bottle covers, and a tasting sheet or notebook for notes.

Ensure the wines are at the appropriate serving temperature, depending on their type (e.g., red, white, sparkling).

Setting up the Tasting:

Cover the wine bottles with foil or place them in wine bottle sleeves to hide the labels.

Assign each wine a random number or code for reference.

Observation:

Begin by examining the wine's appearance. Note its color, clarity, and viscosity. This can provide initial clues about the wine's age and style.

Aroma Evaluation:

Swirl the wine in the glass to release its aromas.

Take a moment to sniff and identify the wine's aromas, which can include fruits, flowers, spices, and more.

Try to assess the intensity and complexity of the aromas.

Tasting:

Take a small sip of the wine and let it coat your palate.

Note the wine's flavor profile, including the primary fruit flavors, secondary notes (like oak or earthiness), and any other characteristics.

Consider the wine's balance, acidity, tannins (for red wines), sweetness (for dessert wines), and overall structure.

Finish and Aftertaste:

Pay attention to the wine's finish, which is the lingering taste and sensations after you've swallowed or spit the wine.

Assess the length and quality of the finish, as it can reveal more about the wine's complexity and overall quality.

Guessing and Scoring:

Attempt to identify the grape variety, region, vintage (year), country, winery and any other details about the wine.

Assign a score or rating based on your assessment of the wine's quality, considering factors like aroma, taste, balance, and overall enjoyment.

Discussion and Reveal:

After all wines have been tasted and evaluated, you can discuss your findings with fellow tasters and reveal the identities of the wines.

Comparing notes and discussing differences in perceptions can be an educational and enjoyable part of the experience.

Blind wine tasting is a valuable tool for wine enthusiasts, professionals, and sommeliers to develop their palate, sharpen their wine knowledge, and make unbiased judgments about wines. It's also a fun and social way to explore different wines and learn more about your personal preferences. If you are looking for a wine tasting or blind wine tasting contact us and we gladly assist you.