the Center Palate

[quijote]

As I'm reading tasting notes I've been trying to put together a "map" of the journey that wine takes as soon as it hits the mouth. Though this may be pretty obvious to the seasoned veterans here, does the term "center palate" simply refer to the moment between the initial intake of wine and the finish? At first glance, the term "center palate" sounds like it has a lot to do with the actual palate--the roof of the mouth--and less to do with the tongue and other parts of the mouth. But it does refer to the sensation felt in the entire mouth....right? Wrong?

What are other terms used to describe the length of stay of wine in the mouth?

Thank you....

-Q

[winoweenie]

Right On "Q". The center palate is the point past the tongue tip where you can normally feel the weight(concentration or body) of the wine before it descends into the throat.WW

[quijote]

OK, WW, thanks for helping on that one. For some of these wines that's a right powerful long time for a center palate, but I can see how this "tests" the wine. Some wines really open up and let loose, and a few really do fall flat or sideways at this stage. I guess that if a marvellous wine demands a lengthy journey through the center palate, just let it happen and enjoy. [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]