The 1,2,3′s of Wine Tasting
August 11, 2008
“What is the proper way to wine taste?” “What do you do when tasting wine?” Questions that my friends, family, even customers have asked so I thought I would touch up on wine tasting basics. For those experienced wine tasters out there this will be redundant information but for those few, like myself, who welcome every suggestion with open arms, here are a few tips I’ve picked up along the way.
1. Hold the glass by the stem, they say the best is at a 45-degree angle; I say hold it however you feel comfortable, and look at the wine’s appearance. It should be clean and bright, not dull or muddy.
2. Swirl the wine in the glass several times to let the wine “breathe.” By allowing the wine to “breathe” or mingle with air, the wine will typically warm up, the flavor profile will soften and mellow out a bit and the overall flavor characteristics and aroma should improve.
3. Inhale the wine’s aroma DEEPLY, like smelling a delicious dish. The wine’s aroma should be clean, natural, and of course, pleasing.
4. Next comes my favorite part of the tasting experience. Slurp the wine, like it was your favorite hot soup. Hhmm… Swish the wine around your mouth a bit, sort of like you would with your mouthwash. Hold it for a few seconds, then swallow or spit it out. It is perfectly acceptable to spit. Taste buds are only in the mouth, not in the throat or stomach. Wait a few seconds, allow the flavors and texture to finish. The flavor and finish should be clean, natural and appealing. Also the wine should balance the sensations of acidity, alcohol, sweetness and fruit.
5. Lastly, smile, relax, and enjoy yourself. Wine tasting isn’t about how you taste but rather the knowledge you gain from tasting.
After all there really is no wrong way to wine taste. These 1,2,3 basics are more of a guideline than anything else. Wine tasting is like any experience in life, the best way to begin is simply to start. So come stop by our tasting room and if you’re feeling bold ask for Katie. I’d be delighted to meet a fellow novice, or any wine lover for that matter. We’ll sip from our “little lion” wine glasses, laugh, and best of all, chat about our findings as we pour through the afternoon.
October 25th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Why spit out your wine? Drink it!!!!
November 7th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
If you do not want to spit out your wine then by all means, PJ, don’t spit. I know when I am tasting I tend not to spit earlier in the day, but as the day rolls on I find myself, politely, spitting more and more. I feel that it is more of a compliment to swirl, spit and remember the wine for my purchase later than to drink every drop, vaguely recall the wine and not purchase because I can’t remember clearly. But PJ, if I try a wine I like, regardless of the hour, believe me I will enjoy every last drop, as should you. My favorite right now is our St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon. A new Leonardini Family Selection. So come on in one day PJ and we’ll enjoy some of my new wine of choice and we’ll re-work those 1,2,3′s I spoke of one sip at a time. I’m always open to new thoughts, options, or your opinion.