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Mindfulness & Finca Martelo: A transformative experience

One great thing about mindfulness is that there is not just one way to practice it. 

What is mindfulness?

Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us.

It does not necessarily mean that we must be sat crossed-legged on the floor. In fact, the small mundane moments in life are perfect times to be more aware, more “mindful” of what’s going on around you. Such as tasting wine.

How mindfulness can intensify your wine tasting experience

Some of the main principles of mindfulness can be applied when wine tasting:

  1. Being in the present
  2. Maintaining a non-judgemental awareness of the present moment, moment by moment
  3. The dissolution of negative or strong emotion
  4. Awakening joy

Try this mindfulness exercise with Finca Martelo 2015

If you have ever been introduced to mindfulness, you may have come across the ‘raisin meditation’ beginner’s exercise by Kabat Zinns, leader in this area.

This involves taking a raisin, looking at it intently as if for the first time, observing its colours and feeling its textures, listening to it as you roll it close to your ear, smelling it, chewing it very slowly, swallowing it and feeling it make its way to your stomach: mindful eating — but also a meditative experience.  

Now here’s a small challenge next time you uncorked a bottle of Finca Martelo, whether it is your first time tasting the wine or not.

For approximately 5 minutes, take your time to immerse yourself fully in the moment:

  1. Pouring: First, pour yourself a glass letting your senses fully take in the sight, sound and smell of the action.
  2. Seeing: Hold the glass up to the light and take time to really focus on it; gaze at the dark liquid with care and full attention—imagine that you’ve just dropped in from planet Mars and have never seen an object like this before in your life. Let your eyes explore every part of it, examining the highlights where the light shines, image what the texture is like, and any other features.
  3. Smelling: Hold the glass over your nose. With each inhalation, take in any smell, aroma, or fragrance that may arise. As you do this, notice anything interesting that may be happening in your mouth or stomach. Maybe do this with your eyes closed if that enhances your sense of smell.
  4. Placing: Now slowly bring the glass up to your lips, noticing how your hand and arm know exactly how and where to position it. 
  5. Tasting: Gently take a large sip of the wine in your mouth; without swallowing, noticing how it enters your mouth. Spend a few moments focusing on the sensations of having it in your mouth.
  6. Drinking: See if you can first detect the intention to swallow as it comes up, so that even this is experienced consciously before you actually swallow the wine. Then very consciously, let the liquid trickle down your throat and notice what happens in the aftermath, experiencing any waves of taste that emanate from it as you continue drinking. Notice the bare sensations of taste and texture in your mouth and how these may change over time, moment by moment. Also you can pay attention to any changes to the temperature.
  7. Following: Finally, see if you can feel the wine moving down into your stomach, and sense how your body as a whole is feeling after you have completed this exercise.

We’d love to know how the mindful drinking experience is for you!

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