Palate Fatigue

I had the pleasure this Monday of getting to taste 75 different wines, assisting in the creation of the wine list of a brand new restaurant that I will be affiliated with. Up to this point, the most I had ever tasted in one setting was about 25-30 wines. Needless to say, my palate felt like it had been hit with a jackhammer and was well beyond spent by the end – so much, that I could barely taste dinner that night. This is going to be a more regular occurrence for me (tasting a large volume of wines in one setting) and I need to figure out a way to cope so I can write intelligent tasting notes.

Does anyone have any tips on preventing palate fatigue? Other than the obvious – drink water, eat bread or crackers in between to cleanse your palate, etc… Any ideas would be much appreciated!

Cheers!
Joy

[James Roscoe]

Spit! You really must spit at any volume (more than 4-5 wines) tasting. Some type of sparkling water helps me too. Practice, practice, practice! There really is no other way. Have fun and good luck!

No, no! Of course we were spitting! I figured that was assumed....sorry, I should have mentioned that!

I think one method that works for me is variation. I recall tasting several dry, tannic reds and my taste buds felt like they were sandblasted. I took a break and had an off-dry, fruity rosé that I sipped for about 15 minutes. That refreshed my palate.

Joy,
I'm originally from Lincoln, NE and get back for an occasional high school reunion. Keep us informed about the restaurant. I might pay a visit to a restaurant that takes wine seriously in Lincoln or Omaha.

[James Roscoe]

No, no! Of course we were spitting! I figured that was assumed....sorry, I should have mentioned that!

You would be surprised, especially with people new to the practice. I am helping a friend open a store with some well-regarded businessmen and they just cannot get spitting into their heads!

Joy,
I'm originally from Lincoln, NE and get back for an occasional high school reunion. Keep us informed about the restaurant. I might pay a visit to a restaurant that takes wine seriously in Lincoln or Omaha.

Hi JC-

You’d be surprised how many wine-savvy restaurants have popped up in Omaha over the last few years. Here are a few of my favorites:

Twisted Cork Bistro (http://www.twistedcorkbistro.com) – they serve Northwest-influenced local cuisine and their wine list is exclusively comprised of Oregon and Washington wines

The Boiler Room (http://www.theboilerroomrestaurant.com) – local/seasonally driven restaurant with a very impressive Euro-centric list

I have either worked for or known the owners of both of these – they are highly recommended and will not disappoint!!

The restaurant that we are developing the list for is the Grey Plume (http://www.thegreyplume.com) – local/seasonal/sustainable food; opening at Midtown Crossing in mid-December. Be sure to look it up if you are ever in town!

You would be surprised, especially with people new to the practice. I am helping a friend open a store with some well-regarded businessmen and they just cannot get spitting into their heads!

Yes, I am sure! Luckily I learned early on in my wine education; otherwise I'd never make it through even the first 20!

I've been in situations where I also have tasted that many wines (sometimes more) and I find that in addition to the water and bread, etc,. I need to leave the room for small breaks. Because in addition to Palate fatique, I think my nose needs more of a break. When you are in the room and the wine aromas start to mix all over the place, you need to reset your nose which has a big impact on palate. I always find that a small break to walk outside into a hopefully bright and slightly breezy day is exactly what I need to do between a bunch of wines.

I find that one of the problems is tannin building up on my teeth. I carry a folding toothbrush and use it with water only to VERY GENTLY brush my teeth to remove the tannins. It really helps (at Vinitaly I taste up to 150 wines a day).

Joy, thanks for the restaurant tips. The Oregon/Washington wines sounds intriguing.

Yes, the old toothbrush in the bag trick. My mother taught me that on our first trip to Nappa Valley. Just to get the tannin off, not at all the really clean the teeth. You certainly do not want to have that icky toothpaste taste in your mouth, so do not even go there, just the brush, lightly to remove the tannin.

What everyone said above +

(a) During a tasting of more than 20-30 wines use your toothbrush to cleanse not only your teeth but the flat surface of your tongue as well. Because you are not really trying to "clean" your teeth or tongue, but to rid them of accumulations of tannins and other elements, use a toothbrush categorized as "soft".

(b) In the appropriate facility (ladies' or men's room) after brushing your teeth be sure to rinse your lips thoroughly with water from the tap.

(b) During breaks if you do drink coffee be sure it is coffee without either sugar or any dairy substance. Under no circumstances should you drink tea because that will probably contain even more tannins than the wines you have to taste. Also to be avoided are cola style drinks or others that are loaded with sugar or an artificial sweetner as those will deaden rather than rejuvenate your palate

(c) If, at any time during the tasting you feel your palate is fading, take a separate break and during that time chew (not suck but chew) an ice cube. Give yourself five minutes after that and you will find your nose and palate much refreshed.

(d) If after all that (and it happens to all of us periodically) you still feel your palate is not at or near its peak abilities, withdraw from the remainder of the tasting.

(e) Check the possibility (it works for some of us) that bread sticks are better for cleansing the palate than slices or chunks of bread.

And, as others have already said, practice, practice, practice...

Best
Rogov

[David M. Bueker]

I follow a number of Rogov's suggestions. I also find that a taste, swish and spit of some sparkling wine wakes up my palate quite a bit.

Carrots work better than bread for cleaning the mouth, oddly.

And I do find the odd mouthful of sparkling wine works wonders.

Thanks for all the great tips, everyone! I'll make sure to pack a toothbrush to the next tasting!