In France, tastings are very popular and widespread activities. They most often feature wines, beers, or spirits, often accompanied by cheeses or cured meats. However, non-drinkers are too often overlooked in these situations, and a miracle solution has recently emerged: juice tastings. In this article, we will tell you everything about these activities and their secrets.
How to taste juice properly
First of all, it is important to understand the difference between juice and nectar. Nectar is made from fruit pulp or purée that has previously been dehydrated, whereas juice is obtained directly from pressed fruit.
To begin with, a good tasting always starts with good preparation. It is important for your juices and nectars to be at the right temperature. For traditional juices and nectars, we recommend placing them in the refrigerator before the tasting so that they can be tasted at around 10°.
Next, equip yourself with stemmed glasses, preferably fairly wide so that the juices and nectars can breathe and release their aromas. It is important to have a container suited to the type of drink being tasted in order to get the most out of each juice and nectar.
The tasting can now begin. Take the bottles out of the refrigerator and gently shake them to stir the pulp and flavors. The proper way to taste is divided into 3 stages: sight, smell, and taste.
It is important to observe the juice carefully. Do not hesitate to look at it more closely; this will tell you a great deal about it. Pay attention to every detail, starting with the color, which may give you an idea of what type of fruit was used to make the juice. Check whether it is a nectar or a juice; this can be determined by the thickness of the liquid. If it is runny, it is juice; otherwise, it is nectar. Be careful: sight can also distort your perception of taste. When you see the color of the juice, you may expect to taste a particular fruit and be mistaken. This is why blind tastings can sometimes be useful.
Next, you need to smell the juice. It is very important to let the aromas enter your nostrils so that they awaken your senses and prepare them for tasting. Do not hesitate to swirl the juice or nectar slightly in the glass, as you would with wine, to allow it to release its aromas; the tasting will only be better.
Now it is time to move on to the best part, the tasting. Take small sips of juice so that you can properly analyze the taste. Do not hesitate to keep it in your mouth and aerate it to fully reveal and capture the aromas. Try to identify the fruit or fruits used to make the juice so that you can appreciate it to its full potential.
Preparing a good tasting
1 - Have a basic knowledge
Obviously, to organize a tasting, you need to have at least some knowledge of the subject, or at least be curious about it. The best approach is to gather information and practice on your own so that you can distinguish all the specific features and challenging aspects of juice tastings and answer questions as effectively as possible.
2 - Create a great selection
You can focus on a particular theme, for example: juices from different tomato varieties, fruit juices made from fruit grown in France, or, on the contrary, abroad. There is something for every taste. As for the number, it can depend on several factors: the duration and number of people, the budget allocated to the tasting… But unlike wine or other alcoholic beverages, there is no consumption limit due to driving, so it is an open bar!
3 - Provide tools and advice
Your guests are there to learn, so it is worthwhile to ask for their opinions and impressions and help them put their thoughts into words. You should also show them the difference between the various types of juices and nectars during the tasting. You can also give them ideas for food and juice pairings.
4 - Tell a story
It is interesting to tell the story of the juice or nectar: who makes it, what fruit is grown, where it comes from… This adds a little storytelling and provides information for your guests, making for a great start to the tasting.
Tastings at Domaine du Goût
At Domaine du Goût, we offer various tastings of wines, beers, and spirits. We also offer an alcohol-free alternative featuring juices from artisan Patrick Font, paired with savory biscuits from Atelier Sarrasin. So before you start organizing your own tasting, try ours!
