A horizontal wine tasting compares wines produced in the same year or vintage, while a vertical tasting compares wines of different varieties and vintages from the same cellar. It’s important to provide palate cleansers and start with lighter wines first. Red wines should be allowed to breathe for at least 30 minutes and served at room temperature. Horizontal tastings can be structured by region or country, with each wine made in the same year.
A horizontal tasting is a tasting that focuses on tasting wines produced in the same year or vintage. It’s really a way to compare wineries and can focus on one or more varieties produced by wineries near or far depending on your preference. For example, you could hold a horizontal tasting of five to ten Cabernet Sauvignons produced in 2003 by different wineries. This way you can find out which Cabernet you like best in a diverse bunch.
The contrast to a horizontal tasting is a vertical tasting, where you taste wines of different varieties and vintages that usually come from the same cellar. Vertical tasting often occurs at wineries, where you can sample their available varietals in as many years as they are available for purchase.
When planning a horizontal tasting, be sure to provide something to smooth out the palate between wines, particularly when tasting only red wines. Many professional wine tasters say that you really only taste a few red wines before your palate becomes less sensitive. You may want to be sure to have crackers on hand, plenty of water, and possibly conduct horizontal tasting during a complementary food meal.
If you plan to do a tasting of multiple varietals, perhaps chardonnay and then merlot, you want to start with the lighter wines first. Never start with reds if you plan to sample whites as well. Most suggest tasting no more than 5-6 wines, as the palate can only taste so much, and tasting no less than three wines, as a comparison of just two wines doesn’t really constitute a tasting. On the other hand you could do a horizontal tasting between two wineries and taste two whites and two reds to see which ones you prefer.
If you’ve never attended a wine tasting, there are a few things to do. Even though some tasters spit the wine, you certainly are allowed to drink it. Just don’t drink too much. Generally two or three sips of a wine are sufficient to appreciate its flavor and notes. If you’re pouring wine for horizontal tasting, you want to fill medium-sized wine glasses to about a third full. As a taster, listen to what others have to say, but let your palate be your guide. What you like and what is good for you should be the deciding factor in which wines you might buy in the future.
If you’re planning a horizontal tasting, make sure you allow your red wines to breathe at least 30 minutes. They should also be served at room temperature. Do not serve extremely chilled white wines. The wine should be fresh, but not cold, as cold wine darkens some of its taste value.
There are many different ways to structure a horizontal tasting. You could do it by region. Maybe you want your guests to taste Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley and Santa Barbara Cabernets. Since each of these areas, although they are all in California, has its own unique climate, each wine will have its own unique taste. Another way to structure such a tasting is by country. For example, you could sample Pinot Noirs from Australia, Chile, France, and California to see which is best. To keep tasting horizontal, make sure each wine was made in the same year.
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