264: Beer versus Wine Tasting, Cicerones versus Sommeliers with Mandy Naglich, Author of How to Taste: A Guide to Discovering Flavor and Savoring Life

Unreserved Wine Talk

What’s the difference between tasting wine and beer when you want to identify specific aromas and flavours? What are some of the similarities and differences between a Cicerone or beer sommelier and a wine sommelier? How do retronasal aromas give you a different, deeper sense of the aromas of both beer and wine?

In this Unreserved Wine Talk podcast episode, I'm chatting with author Mandy Naglich.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

Two of you are going to win a personally signed copy of Mandy's new book, How to Taste: A Guide to Discovering Flavor and Savoring Life.

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [e-mail] and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose two people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!

Highlights

What are some of the similarities and differences between a Cicerone and a sommelier?

What was it like to win a national homebrew competition?

How did Mandy become interested in homebrewing?

Should your sense of smell be tested as part of your annual physical?

What does Mandy love about Pommery Pop Champagne?

Why should you consider using a Champagne tulip glass instead of a flute?

How does Allagash White bring together the beer and wine worlds?

What causes beer to hold its head longer compared to other beverages?

How does beer’s head affect the tasting experience?

What’s Mandy’s seven-step method for tasting beer?

When should you cover your glass before swirling?

How can you best utilize your retronasal smell pathway?

What types of food would pair well with Allagash White versus Pommery Pop Champagne?

How can a food pairing create a whole new flavour sensation?

Why does speaking aloud help you to solidify your tasting knowledge?

How can you challenge your perceptions of your taste?

What’s Mandy’s favourite wine gadget?

Why would Mandy love to share a bottle of wine with Oprah?

What message would Mandy share with the world on a billboard in downtown Manhattan?

Key Takeaways

I was fascinated with Mandy’s explanation and demonstration of the differences between tasting wine and beer. I had assumed the process would be the same and was surprised to find that it’s not.

I also found her explanation of the similarities and differences between a Cicerone and a sommelier helpful. I didn’t realize that the world of beer is so diverse (yes, my little wine-snob eyes have been opened) or that Cicerones are more involved in maintaining complex equipment than sommeliers.

I fully support her focus on how retronasal aromas reintroduce you to the richer, deeper aromas of both beer and wine and enable you to discover something new when you’re playing it backward as she says.

I also agree about using a tulip glass rather than a traditional champagne flute to better swirl and smell the wine.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Mandy Naglich

Mandy Naglich is one of fewer than 100 Advanced Cicerones in the world, one of the highest certifications in beer expertise. She’s also a Certified Cider Professional and has her WSET in spirits. Mandy’s writing has been published in Vice, Taste of Home, Vine Pair, and Wine Enthusiast. She started her career in journalism at the Schieffer College of Communication at Texas Christian University.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/264.