For those who are not accustomed to drinking baijiu, it may be difficult for them to appreciate the unique flavor of baijiu, just as some people shy away from black coffee because its primary taste signature is a strong bitterness that masks other delicate tastes that may be present. For this group of people, the first impression of baijiu may be the spicy and pungent, which makes it difficult for them to further appreciate the rich layers of baijiu.
Some people are naturally very sensitive and averse to the taste of alcohol, and for them, it is difficult to change their attitude towards baijiu, no matter how good the quality of the baijiu is, and how superb the tasting skills are. However, for those who do not know how to appreciate baijiu, or cannot distinguish the good and bad of baijiu, mastering these five skills may give them a new understanding and love of baijiu in a short period of time.
Eye-to-eye: Slowly pour the liquor into a clean, transparent glass to observe the delicate hops that occur on the surface of the liquor. These hops are not only beautiful and moving, but also an important indicator of the quality of the liquor. In general, the slower the hops dissipate, the more mellow the texture and softer the taste. At the same time, through the glass, we can clearly observe the color and clarity of the wine. The color of baijiu varies depending on the aroma type and raw materials, but generally speaking, high-quality baijiu is more refreshing and transparent, without turbidity and impurities, which can be distinguished to a certain extent by visual observation.
Nose Nose: Hold the glass near the end of the nose and keep the appropriate distance for the best olfactory experience. On your first attempt, you may first feel a strong smell of alcohol, and this is because the human sense of smell catches the most pungent smells first. However, over time, as you sniff more deeply, you'll find more layers of scent.
Hand twisting: In this step, you can use your fingertips to gently touch the surface of the liquor, then rub it with two fingers. Such an action can make you feel the texture of liquor. When you try a premium liquor, you will experience a silky and slightly sticky touch to your fingertips. This is because the lipids in the liquor are fused with water, resulting in a slippery feel, which is the expression of the mellow body of the liquor. And after continuous rubbing for a while, you will feel a subtle astringency. This is because liquor contains alcohol, which has a certain volatility. When it volatilizes on **, it brings a cooling sensation. When the alcohol has evaporated to a certain extent, the tips of the fingers will feel astringent.
Taste: This part of the tasting process is crucial and directly determines how we evaluate the wine. To taste, simply take a small sip while curling the tip of your tongue slightly so that the wine fully melts into the tongue. This not only uses the sensitive palate on the tip of the tongue, but also ensures that the flavor of the wine can be felt throughout the tongue. Since the tip of the tongue is the area where the taste is most acute, many people find baijiu spicy and unpleasant, and this feeling usually causes them to swallow it in a hurry and miss out on the pleasure of tasting. However, if we taste it patiently, we will find the sweetness of the wine at the base of the tongue and indulge in this soft and warm taste. A truly good wine has just the right balance between its sweet, sour, bitter and spicy elements, bringing us a rich and varied experience.
Exhale: The last part of wine tasting, often overlooked, is crucial. After tasting the liquor, take a deep breath and exhale slowly, and you will be surprised to find that the aroma of the liquor you have just drunk is released from your mouth and into your nose. At this point, you will be able to smell a unique aroma that you didn't notice at first taste, which is known as the base note of baijiu. A good baijiu usually has a long-lasting finish, with a strong grain aroma or a fresh floral and fruity aroma, or a pleasant aging aroma, all of which are intoxicating. Only when this session is over, can we fully evaluate the quality of this wine.
For newbies, mastering the following five tasting tips will help them get used to the taste of baijiu more quickly. However, it is advisable for beginners to start with a milder and more palatable liquor, which can reduce the resistance of the first tasting and increase acceptance.