There are three simple rules to get the most out of a tasting event.  Slow Down. Wine is to be savored and enjoyed, not gulped and guzzled.Concentrate. Avoid distractions and focus on the wine. Use All Your Senses. This is the most important. Sight... Hold the glass up to the light. Look at the color. If it's a white wine, is it more on the lighter side or deep golden yellow? The deeper golden hues indicate oak aging. In red wine, is it light and thin or deep and opaque? Brick red or inky purple? A purple hue usually indicates an ability to lay down and age. Aroma... Swirl the wine in the glass to "release the bouquet." Try not to spill any! Stick your nose right into the glass, close your eyes and take a deep inhale. Crushed berries? Vanilla? Baked Cherries? Wet leaves in the fall? Let your mind go and see what you think of. Taste... Drink a bit of wine and hold it in your mouth...don't swallow right away. Your mouth can sense salt, sweet, sour, and bitter, so concentrate on those. A high acid wine will feel like it's dancing in your mouth. A rich smooth wine will be balanced and juicy. A red wine that could age for a bit will have tannins, which is chalky bitterness left after you swallow. Touch... Before swallowing, use a sense of touch to decide how it feels in your mouth. Does it feel light and refreshing or heavy and full? Is it a summertime refresher or a winter warmer? When we refer to the body of a wine, it is this sense of touch we are talking about. Listen... What are others around you saying about the wine. Go ahead and disagree! Everybody's tastes are different, especially with wine...stand confident in your preferences and you'll enjoy your wine all the more. |
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How To Enjoy Wine |