How do you taste wine?
Wine tasting is a sensory experience that stimulates the eyes, nose, mouth and sometimes even the ears. The goal is to assess the color, smell, taste and mouthfeel of the wine and form an impression of the wine.
Here are some steps you can follow:
-
Look at the wine: Hold the wine up to the light and examine its color. Is it light or dark? Does it have shades of purple, ruby, garnet, or gold? The color can provide clues to the wine’s age, grape variety, and winemaking techniques.
-
Swirl the wine: Swirling is the act of gently swirling the wine in the glass. This is done to release its aromas. It also helps oxidize the wine, which can soften the tannins and enhance the flavors.
-
Smell the wine: put your nose in the glass and inhale deeply. What do you smell? Is it fruity, floral, spicy, earthy, or oaky? Try to identify specific aromas, such as blackberry, cherry, violet, cinnamon, leather, or vanilla. It is your own association with the smell.
-
Taste the wine: take a sip of the wine and let it go around your mouth. What do you taste? Is it sweet, sour, bitter or salty? Are there any flavors that match the aromas you smelled? Do you notice other flavors, such as chocolate, coffee, tobacco or spices?
-
Evaluate the wine: Think about how all the elements of the wine come together. Is it balanced, complex, and harmonious? Does it have a long or short finish? Would you describe it as light, medium, or full-bodied?
-
Pair the wine: Consider what foods would complement the flavors and texture of the wine. Would it pair well with cheese, meat, seafood, or vegetables? You can experiment with different food combinations to see how they affect the flavor of the wine.
Rate in 5 categories
Below you will find an infographic with 5 categories that you can use to judge wine very well. This way you will also find out what you like.
