Another Tasting Question

[Thomas]

The biggest problem with identifying various qualities in individual wine characteristics is that each of us (especially those of us who do not undergo specific sensory training) are influenced by our environment past and present, our experiences and our preferences, not to mention recall abilities.

It is virtually impossible for any one person to categorically put a qualifier on which everyone will agree. There are technical reasons for certain character traits but that is not enough for most people to identify.

I am afraid, cheeps, your quandary can be solved only by experience--vast and constant experience. Keep it up and one day you will wake up to realize that you have a base of knowledge that will finally get you to understand the myriad possibilities in wine tastes and characteristics. Take extensive notes on what you think about wine and compare those notes with what the so-called experts think. At some point you will begin to notice how your thoughts have converged with theirs--if you're really lucky, your thoughts will go contrary to theirs; then, you can become your own expert!