Believe it or not, there is a proper way to taste wine, but it's probably a lot easier than you might think. Here we have listed out the four most important steps when it come to wine tasting that will leave you feeling like a wine expert.
In this first step, it's important to take a moment to look and see everything about the wine you are about to taste. Even before you pour yourself a glass, it's key to always take note of the brand and/or producer of the wine, the types of grapes used and the region in which they were grown, as well the vintage year of the bottle. All of these things can be easily observed and give subtle clues to how the wine might taste.
Secondly, when you have the wine in your glass, there are two specific visual characteristics to take note of; the clarity of the wine and the wine's color. A good glass of wine is clear. Cloudy wine can sometimes be an indication to a fault in the winemaking process. As far as the color, color is usually a good indicator on the region the wine is from. Wine from warmer regions tends to be more rich in color whereas wine from cooler climates lacks color.
It's the swirling that makes this step a fan favorite.
Despite the swirl making it look like you know what your doing, it actually does serve a pretty important purpose. Swirling the wine allows the wine to aerate and releases the wine's aromas, making it easier to smell. The smell of a wine is also known as the "nose." When you go to smell the wine, it is prepping your mind for what taste is to come. So let the swirl & smell begin!
Truly this is the most important step in wine tasting; actually tasting it. Take a decent size sip; enough to cover your taste buds leaving enough room to still swish the wine around in your mouth. Try tasting the first sip at the tip of your tongue vs. the back of your tongue. Sweet, sour, salty, bitter and savory tastes can actually be sensed by all parts of the tongue. Give it a try!
Now, taste. All wines inherently are sour, just due to the fact that grapes are naturally acidic. But different types of grapes produce varying levels of sweetness. Also pay attention to the wine's texture.
Savor it.
Savoring the entire wine tasting experience is what makes wine so unique. With the distinct taste, vary textures, and lingering aromas, this is what savoring is all about. So whether you prefer fruity or floral wines, sweet or spicy... savor and enjoy the experience of trying new wines.
Happy Wine Tasting!
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