There is no such thing as bad or good taste. How much we like something is a subjective measure that cannot be right or wrong.
The world of wine and food can be dominated by a somewhat snobbish atmosphere where there is a strict consensus on what is regarded as “good taste”. But what you like is a subjective matter, that cannot (and should not) be regarded as right or wrong.
Do you have good taste
Our aim at Taste Rebels is to challenge taste as a notion. There is no such thing as good or bad taste. There is no right and wrong when it comes to how you perceive something like the taste of a wine.
Often people feel like they have to know a lot about wine or food to share their opinion or join the conversation at e.g. a winetasting. But that’s bollock! Every opinion matters. Most likely, everyone will perceive it differently according to their past experiences, emotions or memories associated with the food or wine.
Furthermore, there is a genetic factor to how you perceive something. Depending on how sensitive your tastebuds are, the food or wine can taste significantly different from person to person. The so-called supertasters will inevitably have a different experience than non-tasters.
Does Robert Parker have good taste?
Robert Parker’s 100-point rating system for wine has made him one of the world’s most powerful wine critics. His system and thereby opinion on what is good taste in wine has a massive impact on the consumers. But that doesn’t mean, that you have to share his opinion on what is a good tasting wine.
It has been implied, that Robert Parker might not be a supertaster, and thereby is less sensitive to bitter taste. That could be the answer to his preference for full-bodied wines with lots of tannins.
Meanwhile, another wine writer, the Master of Wine Jancis Robinson, has been suggested to be a supertaster, which could explain her preference for very different wines than Parker’s favorites.
So, who is right and who is wrong?
No one or both, that’s the point. Regarding how much you like something, taste is subjective.
Train your senses
When that’s said, you can do a lot to train your senses and learn to describe the experience with different aromas, basic tastes, mouthfeel etc. But that doesn’t mean that your opinion on whether you like something or not doesn’t count.
Sometimes you will discover, that when you dive into an area, your viewpoint or taste preference can change.
At Taste Rebels we want to challenge people to challenge their taste. Try something new, use your senses – and dare to speak your opinion.
Even though we cannot all become supertasters – we can all become closer to being a taste expert. It’s just a matter of training.
Do you want to learn more about sensory science and train your palate? Join our courses
