degustation
Culinary sampling experience
Degustation is the careful, appreciative tasting of food or wine—savoring rather than simply eating.
The term appears most often in fine dining contexts, where a degustation menu or tasting menu offers a series of small courses designed to showcase a chef's range: The seven-course degustation paired each dish with a different wine.
Academic subjects or meal stages
- amuse-boucheComplimentary chef's tasting bite
- chefProfessional kitchen leader
- platingSurface metal application
- pairingJoining two together
cuisine · gastronomy · sommelier · appetizers · entrees · desserts · presentation · delicacies
Oral cavity ceiling
- flavorsDistinct taste qualities
- aromaPleasant distinctive smell
- texturesSurface feel and appearance
- mouthfeelOral texture perception
umami · savory · tangy · finish · notes · bouquet · complexity · aftertaste
Quality from past eras
- terroirGeography's influence on taste
- varietalSingle-grape wine type
- tanninsAstringent plant compounds
- acidityLow pH condition
body · legs · decant · sommelier · swirl · nose · oakiness · cuvée
Connoisseur of sensual pleasures
- MichelinFrench tire manufacturer
- artisanalMade by skilled craftspeople
- trufflesExpensive edible fungi
- caviarCured fish eggs
connoisseur · gourmand · exquisite · luxurious · rarefied · exclusive · prestigious · starred
Yielding to desire
- sophisticationCultured elegance and complexity
- eleganceRefined, graceful quality
- appreciationRecognition of worth
- pleasureHappy, satisfied feeling
ambiance · refinement · leisurely · intimate · memorable · ceremonial · ritual · mindful
courses
Academic subjects or meal stages
- amuse-boucheComplimentary chef's tasting bite
- chefProfessional kitchen leader
- platingSurface metal application
pairing · cuisine · gastronomy · sommelier · appetizers · entrees · desserts · presentation · delicacies · multicourse
palate
Oral cavity ceiling
mouthfeel · umami · savory · tangy · finish · notes · bouquet · complexity · aftertaste · nuance
vintage
Quality from past eras
- terroirGeography's influence on taste
- varietalSingle-grape wine type
- tanninsAstringent plant compounds
acidity · body · legs · decant · sommelier · swirl · nose · oakiness · cuvée · flight
epicurean
Connoisseur of sensual pleasures
caviar · connoisseur · gourmand · exquisite · luxurious · rarefied · exclusive · prestigious · starred · acclaimed
indulgence
Yielding to desire
- sophisticationCultured elegance and complexity
- eleganceRefined, graceful quality
- appreciationRecognition of worth
pleasure · ambiance · refinement · leisurely · intimate · memorable · ceremonial · ritual · mindful · savoring
- gastronomygastronomy, gourmet food, fine dining, culinary tour, food pairing
- dining dealsdaily special, lunch special, dinner special, happy hour, early bird special
- fine diningchef, gourmet meal, haute cuisine, gourmet, prix fixe menu
- tastingsflight, sampler, cupping, beer flight, wine flight
- gastronomiescuisines, recipes, cooking, dining, restaurants
- culinary artsflavor, aroma, seasoning, sauce, roasting
degustationgulping
Swallowing hastily, noisily
wolfing · gobbling · wolfing down · scarfing · bolting
degustationrefueling
Adding more fuel supply
feeding · gorging · bingeing · mindless eating · stress eating
degustationall-you-can-eat
Fixed-price unlimited dining
buffet · binge · feast · gorge · supersizing