Boardwide 'Balance' Challenge Tasting - Dec. 17-24 (requires test kit-cheap and available onlne)

Mary_Baker · December 9, 2009, 7:09pm

I gave myself an idea, and it didn’t hurt too much …

Over in the pH thread in Cellar Rats … I mentioned that I think it is very important for wine consumers to educate themselves about the relationship of acidity and pH to the balance and longevity of a wine.

So I’m proposing an Accuvin tasting.

Here’s how it would work.

First, you have to buy or acquire an Accuvin test kit for pH or acidity or both. The kits cost $40 each and contain enough test papers for 20 samples.
If you want to participate but don’t want to buy your own kits, PM me with your mailing address and I will send you one. I have about 10 to spare. You won’t get the color chart or instructions with it, but you can find those on the Accuvin website.
Choose a wine, any wine for the tasting.
Enjoy a glass of wine and try to guess the TA and pH. If you are not that accomplished yet (you soon will be) just write down whether you think the levels are low, medium, or high.
Test the wine and compare the results to your initial perception.
Post your tasting notes and comments.
(Optional) Post your notes on CT and on other boards, and when people say, whoa where did you learn to do that? you know what to say!

As requested below, the tasting and related discussion will run from December 17-24. That gives you about 10 days to get your hands on a test kit. Everyone is welcome to participate in the discussion, even if you don’t order a test kit.

Who’s in?

Rick Allen, and friends
Mary B.
Linda Baehr
John Cabot, Cabot Vineyards
Alan Chan
Don Cornutt, and friends
Todd French, Head Berserker and friends
Brian and Ashley Grafstrom
Bill Tex, and friends
Mike Stoneking, and friends

John_Morris · December 9, 2009, 7:24pm

Great idea! I’m sorry to say I’ll be in transit that day, though.

ToddFrench · December 9, 2009, 7:26pm

This is a great idea, Mary. I’m not sure I have the skills to even come CLOSE to guessing ph and TA on a wine, so I can’t say I want to test myself and see how off I am.

I did, however, win the ‘guess the ABV, percentage of new oak, and percentage of malo’ contest at Anderson’s Conn Valley with their '07 Chardonnay! I have the bottle (prize) to prove it!

Mary_Baker · December 9, 2009, 7:31pm

Conn Valley, nice!

I wonder if the 30th would be a better date for everyone? In the post-Christmas/pre-New Year pause? Input?

I wouldn’t worry about being accurate the first time. With repetition it gets easier. I probably won’t be accurate myself because it’s been awhile since I’ve been put on the spot.

ToddFrench · December 9, 2009, 7:34pm

I guessed 15.3%, 100%, and 0%, respectively, along with a dozen or so other Berserkers at the event, and I was off only on the first one, which is 15.7%…and that is what I originally wrote down!

John_Cabot · December 9, 2009, 7:36pm

Welllllllll, was it good?

Bill_Tex_Landreth · December 9, 2009, 7:40pm

It was OK. I wouldn’t seek it out though.

Mary_Baker · December 9, 2009, 7:45pm

Man, I thought the guys would be hopping all over this … an opportunity to play with science kits and litmus paper while drinking wine, an easy way to be righter about right than the next guy, and unlimited pontification opportunities.

ToddFrench · December 9, 2009, 7:48pm

I’m considering it, Mary…heaven knows I"m all about embarrassing myself online, or allowing others to do so on my behalf…

Where are good places to procure the kit?

Bill_Tex_Landreth · December 9, 2009, 7:49pm

OK…I’ll play along. I’ll even try to get the local nimrods to get together and we can have a drinking game.

ToddFrench · December 9, 2009, 7:53pm

Now THAT sounds like a good idea…

I’ve got a low key get-together with a few nimrods from here myself, right around that time. Mary, perhaps let’s make it that week, or over a week’s time?

John_Cabot · December 9, 2009, 7:54pm

I’ll play along, but i’ll just bring home my ph meter.

Mary_Baker · December 9, 2009, 7:55pm

Excellent! I ordered my kits direct from Accuvin. http://www.accuvin.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

They’re so fun and easy to use, your kids will want to help.

Mary_Baker · December 9, 2009, 7:58pm

Which week?

I was just going through my syrahs looking for something interesting, but my collection is pretty conservative. I think I’ll have to browse the local wine outlets and find something challenging.

ToddFrench · December 9, 2009, 8:04pm

Perhaps 17th - 24th? That way it’s not just a one-day event…and some discussion can occur for those who do it.

Mary_Baker · December 9, 2009, 8:06pm

Done. Title changed.

ToddFrench · December 9, 2009, 8:11pm

In with at least two others…on the 17th

dcornutt · December 9, 2009, 8:54pm

I am in with Charles Johnson and maybe a couple of others.

Mary_Baker · December 9, 2009, 9:09pm

I’m thinking about moving my end of the tasting to Villa Creek on the 18th, and inviting some friends to join in the geekery. I bet Leenda would come, and Glenna, an enologist, and prolly the whole Four Vines crew … they’re always up for a Friday night out.

If I can figure out how to work this new Logitech cam thingy and do conference calling on Skype, we could transmit live from VC on my laptop to anyone with Skype. Is that possible? I’ll work on it later this evening.

ToddFrench · December 9, 2009, 9:59pm

You don’t need Skype - see the sticky on UStream - there is a WineBerserkers account anybody can use during an offline