Yunding Ranch

Chapter 471 Eye-opening
As if aware of Lu Li's surprise, Nicholas leaned over and explained in a low voice, "They have to taste fifty to eighty types of wine in one day."

There were no follow-up words, but the meaning couldn't be more obvious.Lu Li immediately realized that regardless of everyone's drinking capacity, if they want to complete the tasting of so many different wines, the judges must keep their sense of taste accurate and their brains clear.This is tasting, not enjoying.Therefore, the best way is to spit it all out after finishing the tasting.

The bald old man in sight began to record on the notepad in his hand.After finishing writing, he put the glass in his hand back on the table, picked up a new glass, and continued to taste the next wine.

It is very interesting to watch the experts taste wine. Sometimes, it only takes one tasting, and he makes a judgment; sometimes, after three or four tastings, there is still no answer. Had to beg for some wine again and repeat all previous procedures.

Originally, Lu Li thought that if the tasting was completed once, it must be terrible, otherwise it would be of good quality.

But Nicholas overturned this statement. There are too many factors that affect the flavor of wine. The wine that is tasted at one time may also be a wine that is well known. Compared with the previous year, there are not many new changes, and even They can tell the name of the winery without looking at the label.

Similarly, those who have been tasted many times do not mean excellent.Maybe the taste of the judges missed some details, maybe it is rich and varied, but it does not mean that there are many layers, just like the top whiskey, mellowness is one of the most important criteria for judging.Therefore, they need more "evidence" to make the most accurate judgment.

Lu Li would never forget that the judges scored the wines, and the competition also scored the judges.This is a strict and rigorous authority Dai Shi.Be it the judges or the competition, no one would bet on their own reputation.

At this time, Lu Li really realized the abilities of these judges.

They have probably tasted thousands of wines, and they don't just taste it, they know it like the back of their hands.There is a clear and precise awareness of every flavor, every aroma, every weather, every influence.This is true of any kind of thing. After continuous research, continuous deepening, and continuous exploration, after quantitative changes lead to qualitative changes, it will break through to a new level.

This reminded Lu Li of the stages of study, bachelor's, master's and doctorate.As for the artisans in life, maybe they don't have a doctorate, but in their field of expertise, they are doctors, and even more senior than doctors.

After this group of scoring was over, the judges walked around to the other side of the booth and began to taste another group of wines.The next group of judges was on their way. Nicholas leaned forward and said loudly, "No. 1089. Two glasses." The staff at the booth poured red wine into two small-caliber glasses and handed them to Nicholas.

Fred and Tony, who were standing beside them, were seriously discussing what type of floral aroma this glass of wine had.That serious appearance seemed to be a real professional, but Lu Li knew that Fred was on the same level as him, and he couldn't compare with Tony at all.However, the two people came and went, but they were serious.

Lu Li turned his head, took the wine glass from Nicholas, and couldn't help laughing, "Should we also show our expertise?" Nicholas didn't know why - he didn't have a clear understanding of Fred's tasting ability Naturally, he didn't understand the joke in Lu Li's words, so Lu Li didn't say much, but continued, "Come on, tell me some technical terms, and then I'll follow your words."

The teasing tone suddenly became clear, making Nicholas laugh out loud, "Don't worry, you can express your opinions as much as you want. No one will care."

The two raised their cups, gave a brief gesture, and then Lu Li began to taste.At least, he is very proficient in the procedures and routines of tasting.After feeling the aroma of the wine blooming on the tip of his tongue, Lu Li's eyebrows could not help but slightly raised. This was much smoother than expected, because he just glanced at it, and all the wines on this booth were from 2015. In short, it is a young wine like Yunding Ranch.

Nicholas just tasted it once, then spit it out, put down the glass, and didn't continue to taste.He stood beside him and waited politely for Lu Li. Lu Li said hesitantly, "Is this New World wine? Argentina? Chile?" Not only is the tannin lighter and the taste smoother, but also the layers and aftertaste of the taste. shallow.

Now Lu Li can vaguely perceive the difference between wines in the old and new worlds, but he is not sure, as he is still a layman after all.

"Argentina, I guess." Nicholas shrugged. "They have a few wineries that have done really well in recent years. But there is still a lack of change."

Although the word was "guess", Nicholas' tone was very certain.Lu Li pursed his lips, "It seems that my taste is not so outrageous."

Afterwards, Lu Li tasted another wine, this time the tannin was a little heavier, but it was not as good as Yunding Winery.Now Lu Li can't tell the difference, even the old and the new world, not to mention the specific winery, but he can taste some layers, and in another six months or a year, the taste will be even better .

Over time, Lu Li gradually gained his own understanding of the taste of wine, but after all, his foundation was weak and his ability to identify was limited.

"Did you say before that now the old wineries in Europe are beginning to adapt to the changes of the times, launching wines in small bottles with lighter tannins and a shorter shelf life. Is this what you mean?" Lu Li Guessing, this is the most reliable guess in his mind.

"We are indeed making such an attempt." Nicholas affirmed, without saying a word, Lu Li knew that his judgment was wrong, and there must be a turning point later.Sure enough, Nicholas continued, "However, this is not the wine of the old world. This is the representative wine of the new world, Napa Valley."

Lu Li suddenly realized that his wine knowledge was still too poor, and he actually forgot about his neighbors.Napa Valley is not a random production area, and it can even be regarded as a representative leader of New World wine.

People always say that the wines of Napa Valley are famous in the New World, even if compared with the wines of the Old World, they are not too inferior. More importantly, in terms of sales, the wines of Napa Valley are indeed catching up. It is gradually catching up with European standards.In terms of innovation in craftsmanship, Napa Valley is indeed already at the top level.

In terms of market share alone, Old World wines still occupy a dominant position, but there is not much left in the leading position.However, the wines of the old and new world can also be regarded as a confrontation between the old school and the innovative school, and the arrogance in the bones is still an insurmountable moat.

Regarding Napa Valley, today, Lu Li finally has a relatively clear and three-dimensional understanding.According to the production area, Texas is also classified as New World wine, which can be regarded as a comrade-in-arms on the same front as Napa Valley.As for competitors, Yunding Winery is not yet qualified to compete on the same level as Napa Valley.

"Actually, I quite like it." Lu Li told the truth. When he was still in the Olive Garden, he was deeply impressed by the taste and approachability of New World wines.

He was about to raise his wine glass and take another sniff. Just now he had faintly noticed a little floral scent, but he stopped immediately, "Are you sure?" A joking voice came from his ear, accompanied by fragmentary sneers A low voice interrupted the conversation between Lu Li and Nicholas.

The two of them followed the voice and saw three middle-aged men in their 40s, all of different shapes, but uniform in suits and leather shoes, neat hair, and the arrogance and sarcasm on their faces in an elegant way. , presented condescendingly.There is no cover, a simple sentence, with a sense of sharpness, rushing towards the face.

"I'm not sure if you can understand my thoughts. At least a minute ago, I confirmed that I'm not a controlled robot." Lu Li's retort was neither humble nor overbearing, and even had a hint of humor. Nicholas, who was standing next to him, He couldn't help but smile, and exchanged glances with Lu Li, with the light of "you know and I know" shining in his eyes.

It can be seen that the expressions of the three people in front of them are very similar, the corners of their mouths are raised, and a trace of disdain flashes.It seemed that he didn't care about Lu Li's counterattack, as if an adult was watching a child messing around.

Afterwards, Nicholas took the initiative to introduce, "This is Jack, William, and Brian; this is Fourteen." After the introduction, Lu Li shook hands with each of them to express their friendship.Then Nicholas made a further introduction.

Brian and Jack are senior wine tasters in Europe and have their own column. Nicholas did not further introduce the type of column. Bloggers are also called columns, and the column of "The Times" is also called columns, but the weight is completely different.However, these two people have served as judges of the Brussels Wine Competition three times intermittently in the past few years. It is estimated that the weight should not be underestimated. There is no task of judges this year, but they still came to participate in this grand event.

As for William, he is the owner of a small winery in the Aquitaine region of France, which is also a well-known wine-making region, even more famous than Burgundy.His attendance today is not for the competition, but just to participate in it, because they have their own competition, the Bordeaux-Aquitaine Wine Competition, which only allows wineries in the region to participate, but the authority index is not weak at all, even countless French The first criterion for people to buy wine.

When Nicholas introduced Lu Li's identity, Jack's eyes flickered with an unknown light, and he asked further, "You mean, your winery is in Texas?"

(End of this chapter)