If you're curious about wine tasting, you're in for a treat!
It's a fun and enlightening experience where you get to savour different wines and learn about their unique flavours, aromas, and characteristics.
Whether you're a novice or a wine enthusiast, the art of wine tasting is a journey worth embarking on.
Read on to learn more about the correct steps of wine tasting to fully appreciate your wine the next time you drink!
First things first: the pour
What is the first step of wine tasting? The first step of wine tasting is the pour.
Grab a wine glass with a stem to hold it without warming the wine, and fill it only about one-third full.
This allows ample space for swirling and helps release the wine's aromas.
Appreciate the hue
The second step is to observe the wine's appearance. How can you properly observe a wine’s colour?
You can hold the glass against a white background and take note of its color and clarity.
Red wines tend to range from ruby to deep purple, while white wines can vary from pale gold to straw-like.
The color intensity and clarity can hint at the wine's age and quality. Colour can often give you insight into the age of the wine.
Related article: Tips to Improve Your Wine Drinking Experience
Unleash the aromas by swirling
The third step of wine tasting is the swirl. Gently rotate the glass in a circular motion, allowing the wine to coat the sides.
Why should you swirl the wine before drinking it? Well, swirling aerates the wine, releasing its bouquet of scents.
You can also get a sense of the wine’s sweetness by the streaks left on the sides of the glass after swirling. Sweeter wines tend to leave more streaks on the glass.
Take a moment to inhale deeply and identify the various aromas, which can include fruits, flowers, spices, or even earthy undertones.
Inhale the delight with a sniff
The next step is to bring your nose to the glass and take a few short sniffs. Engage your senses, and try to identify the primary and secondary aromas.
What are wine’s primary aromas? Primary aromas are grape-derived scents, like apple or blackberry, while secondary aromas come from winemaking processes, such as oak aging.
Sip and savour the flavour
Now all that’s left is to sip! Take a small sip and let the wine linger in your mouth for a few seconds. Swirl it around, coating your taste buds evenly.
Pay attention to the wine's texture, body, and the balance of flavors. Is it sweet, dry, acidic, or tannic? Try to identify the different taste elements.
Related article: A Guide to Choosing the Right Wine for Any Occasion
To spit or swallow?
Many have debated what to do with the wine after you’ve savoured it in your mouth. There is no right or wrong way about it; you can either spit or swallow!
If you're at a formal tasting or plan to sample many wines, spitting is perfectly acceptable.
However, if you're savouring a particularly delightful wine, swallowing allows you to fully appreciate its finish.
Let the taste linger
The last step of wine tasting is to observe the finish. As you swallow (or spit), pay attention to the aftertaste or finish of the wine.
Does it linger pleasantly on your palate, or does it fade quickly? A long and enjoyable finish is often a sign of a high-quality wine.
Enjoy the Experience!
Remember, wine tasting is subjective, and everyone's palate is unique. There's no right or wrong way to taste wine; the key is to explore and find what you enjoy.
So, grab some friends, head to a winery or grab a few bottles to taste, and embark on a delightful journey through the world of wines. Cheers to good times and happy sipping!
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