In France, tastings are very popular and widespread activities. They most often consist of wines, beers, or spirits, often accompanied by cheeses or charcuterie. But in these cases, non-drinkers of alcohol are too often forgotten, and recently a miracle solution has appeared: juice tastings. In this article, we will tell you everything about these activities and their secrets.
How to properly taste a juice?
First of all, it is important to know the difference between a juice and a nectar. A nectar is made from fruit pulp or puree that has been previously dehydrated, while juice is directly obtained from pressed fruits.
To start, a good tasting always begins with good preparation. It is important that your juices and nectars are at the right temperature. For traditional juices and nectars, we recommend placing them in the refrigerator ahead of the tasting so they can be enjoyed around 10°.
Next, equip yourself with stemmed glasses, preferably quite wide so that the juices and nectars can aerate and the aromas can be released. It is important to have a container suited to the type of beverage being tasted in order to get the best out of each juice and nectar.
Now the tasting can begin. Take the bottles out of the refrigerator and gently shake the bottle to stir the pulp and flavors. The proper way to taste is divided into 3 parts: sight, smell, and taste.
It is important to observe the juice carefully. Don’t hesitate to look at it closely, this will give you a lot of information about it. Focus on every detail, starting with the color, which can potentially give you an idea of the type of fruit used to make this juice. See if it’s a nectar or a juice; this is noticeable by the thickness of the liquid—if it’s fluid, it’s a juice, otherwise it’s a nectar. Be careful, sight can also mislead the perception of taste; by seeing the color of the juice, you might expect to taste a certain fruit and be mistaken. That’s why blind tastings are sometimes useful.
Next, you need to smell the juice. It is very important to let the aromas enter your nostrils well, to awaken your senses and prepare them for the moment of tasting. Don’t hesitate to gently swirl the juice or nectar in the glass, like with wine, to let it release its aromas; the tasting will be all the better for it.
Now, it’s time for the best part, the tasting. Take small sips of juice to be able to analyze the taste well. Don’t 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 in making this juice to appreciate it to its full potential.
Preparing a good tasting
1 - Have at least some knowledge
Obviously, to organize a tasting, you need to have at least some knowledge on the subject or be curious about it. The best is to research and practice on your own to discern all the specificities and difficult aspects of juice tastings to answer questions as well as possible.
2 - Make a nice selection
You can focus on a particular theme, for example: juices from different tomato varieties, fruit juices grown in France, or conversely abroad. There is something for every taste. As for the number, it can depend on several criteria: the duration and number of people, the budget set for this tasting… But unlike wine or other alcoholic beverages, there is no consumption limit due to driving, it’s open bar!
3 - Provide tools and advice
Your guests are there to learn, so it’s interesting to ask for their opinions and feelings and help them put words to their thoughts. You will also need to show them the difference between the different types of juices and nectars during the tasting. You can also give them ideas for food & juice pairings.
4 - Tell a story
It’s interesting to tell the story of the juice or nectar. Talk about its maker, the fruits grown, where it comes from… This adds a little storytelling and is informative for your guests, a great way to start the tasting.
Tastings at Domaine du Goût
At Domaine du Goût, we offer various tastings of wines, beers, and spirits. But also a non-alcoholic alternative with juices from artisan Patrick Font, paired with savory biscuits from Atelier Sarrasin. So before you start as an organizer, try our tastings!
