What is a Water Tasting?

Exploring the Art of Water Tasting with a Water Sommelier

A water tasting is a unique and enlightening sensory experience where participants explore the diverse flavours, textures, and aromas of water sourced from around the world. Guided by a water sommelier or expert, it’s an opportunity to discover the hidden complexity of water, much like a wine or coffee tasting—minus the intoxication!

During a water tasting, participants sample waters from pristine natural springs, exotic watersheds, and even urban tap water. This allows them to experience firsthand how factors such as mineral content, source, and filtration methods shape the water’s characteristics.

The Experience

A fine water tasting typically lasts 45 minutes and costs R295 per person. Similar to wine tastings, guests sip, evaluate, and compare the qualities of different waters, guided by expert insights into their origins and compositions.

What Happens at a Water Tasting?

1. Curated Water Selection
   Participants sample a variety of waters, which might include:

   • Mineral-rich spring waters

   • Soft glacial waters

   • Purified and distilled waters

   • Urban tap water for comparison

   • Rare or exotic sources from regions like the Alps, Iceland, or volcanic springs

2. Sensory Exploration
   Attendees are encouraged to observe and describe:

   • Appearance: Clarity, color, and presentation

   • Aroma: Subtle scents influenced by the minerals in the water

   • Taste: Ranging from neutral to distinct, influenced by factors like calcium, magnesium, and sodium levels

   • Mouthfeel: Texture or body of the water, such as light, smooth, or full-bodied

3. Tasting Techniques

   • Sip small amounts and allow the water to linger on the tongue to experience its full profile.

   • Cleanse the palate between samples with neutral water or mild snacks.

4. Educational Insights
   The sommelier explains the differences between waters, their unique mineral compositions, and their impact on health and hydration.

Why Attend a Water Tasting?

• Discover Hidden Flavours: Each water reflects its geological journey, revealing distinct tastes and textures.

• Appreciate Water as an Art Form: Learn how water can be more than a beverage; it’s an experience.

• Educate Yourself: Understand the science of water and its role in health, wellness, and sustainability.

• Elevate Your Palate: Fine-tune your ability to detect subtle differences in flavor and quality.

Water tastings are more than an event—they’re an invitation to rethink water’s role in our lives. By celebrating its complexity, these experiences elevate water from an everyday necessity to a luxurious, sensory delight. Whether you’re a connoisseur, a health enthusiast, or simply curious, a water tasting offers a fresh perspective on this life-giving resource.