Lodi International Wine Awards Party -the sensitive tolerate the hyper-sensitive

May 2, 3:14 PMSacramento Wine Pairing ExaminerTammi Korbmaker

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Celebrate diversity!  The hip catch phrase that has us rejoicing in the differences that make each of us unique and wonderful in our own charming way.  It is also the thought behind a new method of tasting and evaluating wine, and I got a chance to experience it first hand last night at the Lodi International Wine Awards party. 

This is a relatively new concept in the wine world, one that focuses on the personal palate preferences (say that three times fast with a plethora of pinot on your palate) of the taster.  A short and fun quiz helps you to determine your flavor preferences, which are broken down into three categories: Take the quiz and find out where your 'buds' fall:  www.emailmeform.com/contact_webmaster_fid-269793.htm

Last night's party revealed award  winning wines (bronze, silver, gold, and even platinum) based on their appeal to each of the 3 palate profiles,determined from the research of  three doctors:  Dr, Michael, O'Mahony, Dr. Rie Ishii, and Dr. Tim Hanni. 

Take Cover!  Fruit-Bombs taking over the world

According to their findings, the wines that typically walk away with the most awards at wine competitions are the big 'uns, ones that can be described as  'f'ruit-forward,'  or 'jammy';  'monster' wines that smack you with a mouthful of explosive fermented grapey goodness.  The less assertive wines with a more delicate flavor profile are often given lower scores in a judging competition;  in other words, no kudos for finesse, no props for subtlety, and who the heck claimed less is more when it comes to wine?

If this new way of evaluation/judging catches on,  just think of how it would revolutionize the wine shopping experience for the unfamiliar, intimidated and/or novice wine shopper?  No more shopping by label appeal (c'mon, admit it, we've all done that---"Ooooh, pretty, shiny wine label;  I take dat one''.)  Imagine a flavor profile rating on every wine on the shelf.  I buy a fair amount of wine, and although I usually have the good fortune to taste before I buy, I sometimes find myself in that same situation.  The name 'Cabernet Sauvignon' on that label only gives me a vague inkling of what lies inside that bottle I'm about to purchase.  But imagine if it were labeled 'Cabernet Sauvignon', with a BOLD sticker slapped on the front.  It just might lift a bit of the fear and mystique off the whole wine-buying process

5 palates, no waiting...

So the cool thing about our experience last night was that of the 5 in our group that were tasting, we had at least one representative from each of the 3 palate groups:

Tolerant tasters, who favor bold flavors like strong coffee, and prefer dry, intense, assertive wines (Mary)

Sensitive tasters, the middle-of-the-road folks, with a broad spectrum of flavor appreciation---that's me, and yep, I appreciate a broad range of wine styles, as does my buddy, Chuck

Hyper-sensitive tasters, who favor delicacy over intensity, and tend to prefer some degree of sweetness in their wines (Tessa and Rob)

So did we each like every wine that ''fit'' our palate preference profile?  No, not every one.  Most,  though, were right on the money.  And we found a lot of great wineries that we've not yet had the pleasure to visit, and met some great winemaking folks with an all-consuming  passion for their craft.  Note to self:  post Lodi tasting trip on VinousEnvy calendar---SOON.

Favorites, at least according to 'Ms. Sensitive Palate'

Favorite tastes of the evening include the wines from Harney Lane Vineyards, especially a non-vintage Primitivo (a blend of '05 and '06 vintages), which was awarded a 'Double Platinum Diversity', meaning the wine should appeal to all tasters (which it did, at least in our 'test' group).  Charming folks who have been growing grapes for generations, and just recently jumped into the winemaking arena, experiencing immediate, head-spinning success, and deservedly so.  Another great find were the wines of Due Vigne.  This winery is a  collaboration 2 families, one in Napa and one in El Dorado County.  The Napa showings included an '05 Napa Cabernet as well as their '07 Napa Cabernet Rose, a fruity and refreshing warm-weather sipper that hopefully did not go unnoticed by the crowd, due to the unseasonably wet weather.  Their '06/'07 Viognier (another vintage blend), '05 Dolcetto, and '06 Nebbiolo were all from grapes sourced from their El Dorado County vineyards, and were highly enjoyable as well. 

Well, at least to my Sensitive palate.