Putting Wine Tasting Notes to the Test

by Maria Ross

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Tasting notes are a great way to get a sense of a wine’s personality before investing in a bottle you’ve never before tried. But how meaningful are they to the Average Joe? On a recent trip to Napa, we decided to put tasting notes to the test by comparing them with our own impressions.

My husband and his good buddy successfully conspired on a surprise trip to Napa for their wives – complete with limo escort, dinner reservations - the whole nine yards. Blessed with a gorgeously sunny yet not-too-hot Napa summer day, we embarked on some new adventures as well as to some beloved old haunts.

Arriving at Mumm’s tasting room, we sat down on the patio to enjoy the warm weather and stunning vistas of the vines, valley, and hills beyond. Mumm, while known for sparking wines, also does some wonderful things with still wine - which makes sense, since many of the same common grapes like pinot noir and chardonnay also give birth to the bubbly.