Wine Tasting Tips

Going on a wine tour and want to look like you know what you are doing? Are you just unsure what you should be looking for and savoring while on a wine tasting? Follow these simple steps and not only will you look like an expert, you will be able to enjoy the wine tasting experience a whole lot more. Wine tasting comes down to four basic steps.

1. See

First things first. Take a good look at the wine in your glass. You will be amazed at the varieties of colors in both white wines and red wines. Red wines can appear to be almost purple or brown, while white wines can have tinges of gold or green. The color of the wine can be helpful in ascertaining the taste of the wine. The color of the wine is also dependant upon the age of the wine. White wines will darken with the aging process, and red wines tend to become more brownish red in color.

2. Swirl.

Yep, this is where you get to twirl your glass around in a meaningful way and make comments on the way the wine moves. The way the wine moves back down into the glass after being swirled will allow you to determine its sweetness and alcohol content. The faster a wine runs down the inside of the glass (like water), the lighter bodied the wine will be. A heavier bodied wine, or a sweeter wine will move more slowly back down your glass. Slower moving wines also tend to have higher alcohol contents. Swirling the wine will also start to release the wine's aroma in preparation for the next step.

3. Smell.

Start by holding the wine glass a few inches away from your nose. After this initial sniff bring the glass in closer so you can almost get your nose in the glass. Keep sniffing until you smell something other than alcohol. Often the aroma of the wine will remind you of berries, fruits, flowers, or herbs. White wines are often said to have aromas of fruits such as apples, peaches or melons, while reds tend to have berry like aromas.

4. Taste.

Now for the good part! The actual "tasting" of the wine. There are three parts to tasting wine with your mouth. Firstly, take a sip and swirl it around in your mouth before swallowing. Think about what your first impression is. You only have four to select from: bitter, sweet, salty, or sour. With your second sip you are looking for the texture and body of the wine. Is the wine full bodied? Does the wine feel smooth? It is helpful if you can manage to include some air with sip. (This is kind of like a silent slurp. It may be best not to try that trick for the first time in front of your boss or the President of the golf club.) After this sip, you are looking for your lasting impression and how long it stays in your mouth. Is it fleeting or does it hang around?

For helpful terminology check out the our Wine FAQ at http://www.vinolist.com/winefaq.html

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