Tastevin: The Historical Wine Tasting Vessel
The tastevin is a traditional wine-tasting vessel with roots tracing back to ancient France, particularly Burgundy, a region celebrated for its rich wine heritage. The tastevin was likely introduced to Britain by the Romans, sourcing tin from Cornwall, the main provider in Europe at that time. After the Romans left, tastevin craftsmanship declined, only to be revitalized by Cistercian monks post-1066 following the Norman conquest.
Initially, the tastevin was designed for winemakers rather than sommeliers, aiding them in the dim cellars where wines were sampled. Its highly reflective metal surface and bowl shape amplified candlelight, allowing the taster to better observe the wine’s clarity and colour.
A Symbol of Passion and Craftsmanship
The tastevin, with centuries of use, is a testament to the dedication to fine wine throughout history. Known as a tool of French winemaking mastery, its practical bowl shape combines durability with effectiveness. Traditionally crafted from silver or silver-plated metals, this choice maximized light reflection, essential for assessing a wine’s colour under minimal lighting.
The Tastevin Design and Functionality
The original tastevin, sometimes called the Bordolese (because of the Burgundy origins), was a rounded, convex dish without handles or chains. The most renowned type is the Borgognone, measuring about 8 cm in diameter and 2 cm in depth. This vessel’s design, complete with strategic indentations and levels, was engineered for thorough visual wine analysis. The raised central portion marked the maximum fill line, while approximately 14 small dimples helped aerate the wine. On the right side, eight concave pearls were used for red wine analysis, while 17 curved areas on the left enhanced the visualization of white wine characteristics. Silver’s properties also assisted in oxygenating the wine, especially white wines, promoting quick sulfur dioxide dissolution.
Using a Tastevin Properly
Proper use of the tastevin follows certain traditional practices to ensure accurate visual analysis. Early models were simple and lacked chains or handles, but modern tastevins often include a chain for wearing around the neck. The ritual differed by wine type: white wine was poured with the right hand while holding the tastevin in the left, and red wine was poured with the left hand while holding it in the right. Over time, as the importance of aroma in wine tasting became more recognized, the open shape of the tastevin was found less ideal for retaining scent. Thus, while the tastevin holds historic value, modern wine tasting has largely transitioned to using crystal glasses that better capture and preserve wine aromas for full sensory evaluation.
