Definitions
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun A small, shallow cup or saucer with a
reflective surface, traditionally used bywinemakers andsommeliers when judging thematurity andtaste of awine .
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
Support
Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word tastevin.
Examples
-
Fortunately, the days of the sneering older man with a silver "tastevin" hanging from his neck are gone.
-
I know that I was not born with a tastevin in my mouth.
Of Bicyclettes, terroir, typicité: Over on HuffPo… | Dr Vino's wine blog 2010
-
No longer does the haughty sommelier at Le Grand Restaurant Francais glare down his well-trained nose and impatiently finger his tastevin as he debates how to intimidate you into buying a more expensive wine--that is, ahem, persuade Monsieur to make a better choice.
How To Order Wine For A Business Dinner Nick Passmore 2006
-
He says that French cuisine was stuck with the image of "something too heavy and too formal - the idea of the sommelier with his tastevin on a big chain," but has now shaken it off.
-
He says that French cuisine was stuck with the image of "something too heavy and too formal - the idea of the sommelier with his tastevin on a big chain," but has now shaken it off.
-
(It's better to flag down Mr. Ferris, the tall American in the dining room with the tastevin necklace over his suit: smart in his bling.)
NYT > Home Page 2009
whichbe commented on the word tastevin
Wine taster. (from Phrontistery)
May 24, 2008
reesetee commented on the word tastevin
Also one of these handy devices. More here.
October 9, 2008
chained_bear commented on the word tastevin
Presumably of French origin...? (the term, not the object; I'm guessing the object is clearly of French origin... or perhaps Italian...)
October 9, 2008
reesetee commented on the word tastevin
Apparently the term is an earlier form of the French tâte-vin, "wine taster." I'm presuming the name of the object came directly from that meaning, and it (the term and the occupation) originated in Burgundy. Does that help?
October 10, 2008
john commented on the word tastevin
“Ah, the tastevin, the shallow silver cup that today largely evokes the image of the supercilious sommelier.”
The New York Times, When the First Sip Is the Sommelier’s, Not Yours, by Eric Asimov, July 6, 2010
July 8, 2010
dontcry commented on the word tastevin
Very interesting article. I think that if you are worried that a sommelier has drunk a bit of your very expensive wine, it's probably because you couldn't afford it in the first place... I've forwarded to my brother, a sommelier. I'm curious to hear his take on the subject.
July 8, 2010
dontcry commented on the word tastevin
According to my very funny brother - sung to the tune "The First Cut is the Deepest:" "The first sip is the sweetest..."
July 9, 2010
elfflame commented on the word tastevin
"Everyone's drinking--a creative array of libations are being sold from carts, and we taste some fine wine from silver tastevins...
The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee
April 26, 2020