Wine judging

Jim At a competition last year, I tasted 146 red Zinfandel wines consecutively, and I can categorically state that I can NOT accurately taste 146 consecutive wines accurately. Lum Del Mar, California, USA

Dozens, certainly - but you MUST spit! No drinking.

Tom S

the number of wines you can taste without having olfactory and palate fatigue depends a lot on the person.

It also depends on the contest. A lot of contest judges are not professional sommelier's and may only ever sample (and spit) that many wines during a contest. On the other hand, many contest judges are hired professionals. On the high end, a guy like Robert Parker may taste (and spit) up to 50 or more wines a day, several times a week. After a session (or between samples), sommelier's can clean their palate with bread, water, or even take a break with a sorbet. They also have a keen sense of what's going on in the glass.

So...some contest judges have a keen sense, and others don't. Tannins and acids can send your taste buds to hell and back after several samples. Experience and personal make up have a large bearing.

My palate turns into a burned out ashtray after 7 or 8 samples, but it's improving. A sommelier friend of mine will spend a day doing 20 or 30 and still make an accurate assessment of what's in the glass.

Exposure and training are key.

Jeff