Wine Tasting Tips

The first rule of wine tasting is, have fun! Wine is a complex and rewarding beverage, and tasting it is a very personal experience. Here are a few tips to make your experience an enjoyable one.

Sight
Look at the wine in your glass preferably against a white background. Notice the difference in color between the wine in the center of your glass and where it meets the side of the glass. Ask your tasting room host for his or her comments.

Smell
The wine has been in the bottle for months or years and the contact with the air will release its aromas. You depend on your sense of smell to taste, even when the wine is in your mouth. Swirl your glass to expose the wine to the air before sipping. Try to identify the types of smells — fruits, vegetables, herbs or spices.

Taste
Take a sip and swish the wine around in your mouth. Keep in mind that the sense of smell plays heavily upon how you experience the taste of the wine. It’s perfectly acceptable not to finish your glass, and not to swallow the wine you have just tasted. You can spit discreetly into a container that your host will provide.

Make a Conclusion
Decide what flavors you tasted. Notice what the wine felt like in your mouth, was it puckery, or smooth? Did you like it? Think about what foods would go well with this wine. Keep notes so you can remember your favorite wines and what to serve with them.

Advice
Plan for quality rather than quantity. A leisurely, attentive tasting at two or three wineries with a meal planned in between can give you a wonderful, relaxing experience. Map out your route, making sure to call each winery and book an appointment as well. Then relax and take your time enjoying the wine country.