Wine Tasting 101 - Our No-Nonsense Guide
Wine tasting doesn’t have to be hard or complex, and it certainly isn’t only for the affluent wine consumer! Let us take you through the basics of tasting wine so that you can sip, sniff and savor with the best of them.
Let’s get sipping!
Ever heard of the “5 S’s of Wine Tasting”? That’s OK if you haven’t, because we’ll walk you through it so you’re sipping like a pro in no time! We’ll even give you a free download to jot down notes at your next wine tasting. Host a small wine tasting party or simply use it to compare some of your favorites (or several new wines)!
Forget any preconceived notions you may have about how wine tasting “should” be done or which wines you “should” like best. Keep an open mind through the experience and enjoy yourself - remember, the one thing this “should” be is FUN!
Let’s start with the basics:
SEE
Take a look in your glass: What do you see? Hold up the wine glass to light or a light colored surface if you can, and take note of the color. Is it ruby red, straw yellow or rose petal pink? Is it very clear, a bit cloudy or perhaps there are even wine diamonds in it?Take notes of your observations so you can reference them later.
BONUS: A totally shameless plug for our favorite wine film you have to watch! Also, here’s a super fun poster from our friends at Wine Folly for $34 that would look amazing framed on your wall!
Pro Tip: Always hold the glass by the stem, rather than cupping it in your hands, particularly if it’s a chilled wine. Your body temperature can heat up the wine a few degrees, which is undesirable.
SWIRL
It’s all in the wrist: You don’t have to go all out and risk (gasp!) spilling the wine, but give the vino in your glass a gentle swirl in a circular type motion. This helps open up the aromas by incorporating oxygen into the wine, providing you with a better opportunity to pick out various aromatic components. No need to swirl for too long, a few seconds will do, but you may be able to distinguish different flavors as the wine sits in the glass, so swirling every now and then won’t hurt.
SNIFF
The nose knows: Go ahead, get on in there and take a big whiff, just do NOT accidentally slurp the wine through your nose. Ouch!
Did you know that our noses play a HUGE part in identifying flavor in our foods (and wine)? Take a few notes on what characteristics you pick up in the smell initially, or talk it out with your drinking buddies and compare. Each person might pick up different aromas, and that’s totally OK!
Now on to the fun part…
SIP
And we’re not talking a polite, tiny tea party sip, but don’t get too carried away on the sipping noises either. Nobody likes an obnoxious slurper! Try sipping wine with your mouth open so you’re also taking in a bit of air, but don’t swallow it yet! On the next “S”….
SAVOR
Swirl the wine around your mouth for a little bit, so that the different parts of the tongue can get to know it. There are various areas of our tongue picking up different taste sensations, so it’s important to swish it around, almost as if it were mouthwash (though probably a touch less aggressively!). This would also be the time where you would make approving head nods, sounds of enjoyment and surprised/impressed eye movements! After a few seconds of 101 time with the wine, feel free to swallow or spit.
“And finally, for the most sound advice we could give you on improving your wine tasting skills….PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!”
Seriously though, as you continue to develop aroma and flavor recognition, you become more aware of everything a particular varietal or wine style has to offer. Try wines from all different regions; bone dry to super sweet; red, white, pink and even orange; there are wine styles for everyone!
Whether you’re sipping at home or in the tasting room, always remember that the best wines are the ones that YOU enjoy the most! Everyone has different palate and different preferences, so a wine you don’t care for may be someone else’s favorite. Regardless, these simple tips and ideas will help you feel more comfortable, and what have you got to lose? So pick up a few bottles of local wine and give it a try - you’re sure to learn something new or maybe even discover your new favorite wine!
Check out our FREE printable download to guide you through and use to jot down notes the next time you’re tasting wine!
Now that you know how to taste wine like a pro, stay tuned for a post on exactly what you’ll find in the glass!
