What is the Taste Test?

The enjoyment of wine should be an inclusive activity, bringing people together. Fundamentally wine should about your personal taste and Bibendum are here to help. To quote Tim Hanni MW, Taste Test is “about why you like what you like”.

The test itself is a short series of questions, the answers to which help us calculate an individual’s sensitivity to different flavours.

Everyone has their own personal sensitivity but in broad terms we all fit into one of four flavour profiles – Luscious/Sweet, Crisp, Smooth or Intense. By calculating a person’s sensitivity we can match them to wines that are more suited to their flavour profile.

We are all individuals

Key to this work is the fact we are individuals. How boring would it be if we all had the same taste preferences? We all have a different number of taste buds (anywhere between 500 -15,000), the number of which dictates how much of a certain flavour we can tolerate.

If you have a large number of taste buds you will be able to extract even the most subtle flavours from a food or drink; if you have fewer taste receptors you need to taste a stronger flavour to register a similar reaction. We are all unique and as such, we don't all enjoy the same flavours.

This is why someone else’s wine choices, whilst they might be perfect for them, will not always be to your taste. There is absolutely nothing wrong with either person's decision making - we are just different!