FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about the National Tasting Project
The National Tasting Project is a collaborative tasting by AWS members from multiple chapters to learn about and taste the same wines and compare their scores using the AWS Wine Evaluation format.
Many wines are readily available locally.
However, we monitor the wine availability, vintage, vineyard specifics and will report any changes. The wines found locally may or may not be the exact same. You should still judge and report the scores. But in the reporting program, mark that the wines were a different vintage, vineyard or other differences.
The NTP website opens early January. Ordering begin January 15- March 15. Wine judging can start once the wines are received. Last score submission is September 30.
NTP wine ordering starts on January 15, 2023 with last order March 15,2023. NOTE: This is a new process with restricted ordering dates, to obtain the best pricing and avoid potential supply chain issues. Exceptions can be made but in fairness to the retailer and their inventory, we’re aiming for end of February.
The wines should be judged without food. Judging what is in your glass without interference. We suggest either eating before or after the judging (or both)
Yes, white wine should be 50-55. Red wines generally about 55-65. The goal of glassware is to enhance the wine. Some glass producers have special talents for each grape. If some members have those glasses, it can only help identify aromas.
Of course, it depends on number of bottles and distance. Also any deals the retailer can discover.
Rough estimates for 6 bottles are: NY: $35; TX: $45; CA: $50
You can buy locally. Please check the vintages and vineyard names to ensure they are the same. Aalso
It depends on how much they drink! 🙂
The wines can be evaluated with as little as one ounce per person, but a more practical limit is about 20-22 people per 750 ml. bottle.
There is no limit on participation. We have heard of one chapter that conducts the NTP with 70+ people. If you have too many people for a roll-call type of score collection, you can enter the scores later.
This is always a good idea in any computer-input scheme, even in the past with the spreadsheets, just in case something goes wrong.
Yes, an NTP Organizer can post results after your event. On the Organizer menu, please read Submitting Scores 2023.
You can use whatever wine glasses you have. For consistency, use the same glasses for each of the wines.
The NTP is a great way to learn a new wine theme along with other AWS members from other chapters, and to compare scores on the wines.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wineempire/
Email: info@MyWineEmpire.com
Twitter: @MyWineEmpire
Phone: (508) 881-3800
NTP Organizers have access to the Southern Rhone presentation using Google Slides. It’s free, doesn’t need an App installation but someone in your group needs a Google Account.
Additionally, Google has many services to help with the process. Clicking the Presentation link opens the Presentation online. You can Download to your computer by clicking:
File->Download->Microsoft Powerpoint (.pptx)
NTP Organizers have access to a Southern Rhone presentation and Notes page. They are a suggestion and aid to the event host. You can skip a slide, add slides and fully invent your own or pass out simple fact sheets. The object is for people to have fun and learn about Southern Rhone wines.
The wine buyer, usually the chapter chair, purchases the wines and could be the only person knowing the wines. Before the event, put the wines in brown bags, write a sequential number on each bag. On the event night, pour wine #1 into each participants glass. If you have more glasses, pour the other wines also. Please remember to pour the whites chilled.
Yes! Some chapters elect to taste all wines in 2 separate events. Can be the same or different tasters.
If the wine is not breathing, give mouth to bottle resuscitation. 🙂
Just pulling the cork is not “breathing” a wine. The surface area is too small to provide any benefit. Young white wines generally do not need air. Ready to pour and taste.
Red wines, depending on the grape and age, can benefit with some breathing time. You could pour into a decanter (or any open vessel) for about 30-60 minutes before the event and pour back into the original bottle.
2023 wines are available to registered NTP Organizers.
You can conduct the NTP with just a few of the wines or more, up to all of them.
You can participate without trained judges – read the judging criteria on the back of the AWS Evaluation Chart and do your best. Wines that are NOT flawed will have scores between 10 and 18, generally.
No, we don’t have the resources to handle submissions like this. Use the on-line scoring system in the Organizers’s menu.