The Power of Blind Tasting: A Superpower in Wine Appreciation?
Blind tasting is one of those mystical wine rituals that both intrigues and challenges even seasoned wine tasters. Imagine sitting down with a glass of wine, without any knowledge of its origin, grape variety, or producer, and being tasked with unlocking its secrets using only your senses. Sounds a bit like a superpower, doesn’t it? There’s something transformative about blind tasting that forces us to leave behind preconceived ideas and truly engage with the wine.
But what if we expanded this idea further, inviting those who are blind to share their unique sensory gifts in the art of blind tasting?
The true power of blind tasting
When we’re deprived of labels and context, the experience of wine becomes remarkably honest. We’re no longer influenced by the prestige of a vineyard, the price tag, or the opinion of a critic. Blind tasting narrows our focus to the fundamental qualities of the wine itself—its aroma, taste, texture, and finish. It’s about getting to the heart of what makes a wine memorable or unique, beyond the surface.
This practice, honed by sommeliers and connoisseurs, allows tasters to develop an almost sixth sense for identifying the nuances of grape varieties, regional characteristics, and even vintage years. It’s as if the art of blind tasting awakens new sensory "superpowers," enabling people to read a wine's story solely through smell and taste.
But as fascinating as this ability is, it raises an interesting question: if we already view blind tasting as a superpower, why are we not involving those who live without sight and may already have a refined sensory perception more in wine tasting? Could they perhaps hold unique insights into the sensory aspects of wine that sighted tasters might overlook?
Exploring the role of the blind in blind wine tasting..
Individuals who are blind often develop heightened sensitivity in their remaining senses.
Imagine applying this heightened sensory perception to the world of wine! Their abilities could not only add depth to the practice of blind tasting but also offer new perspectives on how we describe and experience wine. After all, if we celebrate those who can identify wines through smell and taste alone, shouldn’t we also explore the insights of those who live without sight yet possess incredible sensitivity to smell, taste, and texture?
A new dimension of wine appreciation..
Inviting blind tasters into the world of wine could challenge our assumptions about tasting and deepen our understanding of what makes wine expressive. Their perspective could even shift how wines are evaluated—perhaps prompting a focus on subtler qualities like mouthfeel, aroma, and flavour balance over visual cues like colour and clarity. By bringing in voices that emphasise different aspects of the sensory experience, we might start to view wine in a new, more inclusive way.
Moving toward a more inclusive wine world..
Incorporating blind tasters into formal blind tasting sessions would not only bring fresh perspectives but also encourage a more inclusive wine community. Recognising the contributions of blind tasters could spark a shift in the wine industry, one that values diverse sensory experiences and celebrates unique interpretations of what makes wine exceptional.
So, the next time you pick up a glass of wine and attempt to identify its secrets through blind tasting, remember that this skill is a kind of superpower. And perhaps it’s a superpower that we could strengthen and redefine by inviting those who are blind into the conversation. They might just have the insights that make wine appreciation even more profound.
Emma Hodges is an Accessibility & Inclusion Consultant and was named #59 in the ‘Top 100 Influential in Drinks 2024’ list by Drinks Retailing. Emma is part of the Drinks United Advisory Board and has built a training programme to help wine businesses understand inclusion and accessibility in their current practices. You can reach Emma via her website, Instagram and Linked In, she would love to hear from you and guide you on this important mission.