Direct collection of sensory distances:: application to the evaluation of ten white wines of the Loire Valley

The direct collection of sensory similarities or distances allows to approach an essential concept: the relative importance of the characteristics of the products in their perception. This type of collection is seldom used because it returns classically to the paired evaluations, very difficult to carry out in practice if the number of product is large. An original method of direct collection of sensory distances, called here "napping", and its associated statistical methodology are here presented. As an example, evaluation of ten white wines of Touraine by two panels, students on one hand, professionals on the other hand, illustrates the feasibility and the interest of this procedure.