There is always an undiscussed etiquette that defines the tourists from the locals, and it’s no different with wine tasting.
But I don’t want that to scare you. The wine industry is not as exclusive and picky as you might think.
Yes it can come off as “high-class” at times, and probably expensive, but nowadays there’s much more inclusion to invite everyone into its doors.
I’ve had friends in my life who were once wine tasting haters turned wine lovers… often assuming that wine tasting was only for the rich, classy or “stuck-up”. But it’s just not that way today.
The wine industry has become an exploratory environment of flavors, history and culture. I learn something new everytime I go and am constrantly baffled at the level of science and knowledge it takes to make a good bottle of wine.
So when it comes to etiquette, how do you avoid insulting the wine maker as he’s literally pouring you his work into a glass in front of you? Or how do you talk to others about what you’re tasting, smelling or enjoying? Or maybe not enjoying?
Start by remembering to stick to the 5 “S’s”:
See, Swirl, Sniff, Sip and Savor.
See
Examining the wine before you taste it can tell you a lot about what you’re about to experience.
Notice the wine’s colors and clarity within the glass once it’s poured. Tilt your glass slightly and observe the color from the rim to the center.
Some wines can appear more cloudy (organic) or include sediments that lay near the bottom of the glass. This can indicate the wines age and quality.
Reds can range from pale ruby to a deep garnet red, while white wines can range from light beige to golden yellow. Typically the darker the color, the richer the flavors.
Swirl
Generally you want to start by choosing the correct glass for your wine. Tasting rooms will provide this for you already but if you’re enjoying wine with friends at home, it’s ideal to have red wine glasses and white wine glasses.
Red wine glasses have a larger bowl while white wine glasses have an average or smaller bowl.
The importance of the glass is for swirling full-bodied (red) wines in the larger bowl, so you can experience more of the aromas as well as help oxidize the wine’s flavor.
Always hold your glass by the stem to avoid warming the wine with your hands.
This will help release the wine’s aromas and oxidize to bring out the flavors. Swirling multiple times can help this process and intensify the release of aromas.
Sniff
After a strong swirl, bring your nose to the rim of the glass and inhale.
Take notes of the initial aromas and try to identify the different scents. This is actually one of my favorite parts about wine tasting. It can be a fun game when you all take your guess and let your pourer reveal who was the most accurate.
Scents to look out for are fruits such as berries or citrus, essence of flowers (lavender, honeysuckle), spices (black pepper is most common), herbs (sage and basil) and even notes of earth or leather (barnyard is my favorite term).
Sip
Take a small sip of wine and pay attention to the initial and finishing taste.
Then, take a second sip. I always tell people to take a second sip as the wine often changes in flavor after it has coated your palette.
Consider the wine’s acidity, sweetness, tannins (for red wines), and overall structure and balance.
Think about the flavors you detect and how they evolve as you continue to taste.
Evaluate the texture and body of the wine. Is it light and crisp or full-bodied and velvety?
Savor
Wine can be paired with various foods to enhance their flavors. Experiment with different combinations to see how they complement each other.
Common wine pairings include cheese, chocolates and cupcakes.
There is no right or wrong answer to what you might enjoy. However a common understanding is that most reds go well with meats or richer foods such as chocolate, while white wine tends to go well with lighter, leaner foods such as fish.
Practice and Learn
The more you taste wine, the better you’ll become at identifying aromas, flavors, and nuances. Attend wine tastings, join memberships, read about wine varietals and expand your knowledge with other wine enthusiasts!
Remember that wine tasting is a personal experience, and that there is no right or wrong option to what you prefer.
Your preferences are unique to you, so trust your palate and enjoy the journey of discovering new wines and flavors.
ashleykatechristian
Whatever you have always dreamed of doing, I want to help you get there.
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