Let's talk about Tastevins

One of the books I have been attempting to get through this summer is "The Wine Bible"by Karen MacNeil. Last night I read a chapter on wine tasting and there was a brief mention in the text about tastevins which are small, shallow silver cups used to judge the quality and characters of a wine in dimly lit cellars. These little cups intrigued me so i did some research and found out that tastevins came into popularity around 1680 in France where wealthy people would have them made by silversmiths, engraved with their names and then carry them around in their pockets. Although not often used today some sommeliers and hardcore Burgundy enthusiasts still wear tastevins on a ribbon or chain around their necks as a throwback to it's traditional purpose.

These cups are usually made of silver and are almost like shallow teacups with convex bottoms. Available light in a dim wine cellar would reflect off the surface of the silver inside the cup and shine through the wine held within to be judged for it's colour and clarity.

Because wine was often sold and stored in barrels until the 1800s it was necessary to use tastevins instead of lugging a barrel of wine into better light and then pouring some off into a wine glass.

I want one.

image from www.alhambraantiques.com