How To Taste Wine Like A Pro
Hey Snobs!What could be more quintessential to our brand than sharing with you the art of wine tasting like a true sommelier? Ready to level up like a real snob? Let’s get your swirl on! (pun intended).
First things first—take a good look at your wine. Is it bright or dull? Check for cloudiness and clarity. Notice the colors: a tilt of your glass reveals more than just wine—it shows age, body, potential alcohol content, or sweetness:
1: Look
Age: Older reds may show a brown or orange hue, while younger ones boast a red or purple tint. For whites, aged ones appear darker or golden, whereas younger varieties are paler or yellow.
Body: Can you see the bottom of your glass? If so, you’re likely dealing with a lighter-bodied wine. If the bottom blurs behind the wine, it suggests a fuller body. Anything in between? That’s your medium body.
Alcohol Content/Sweetness: Ever noticed the “legs” of a wine? Those streams running down your glass after a swirl can tell you about its alcohol or sugar content, depending on its thickness and length. It’s a bit of a guessing game, but fun to speculate!
Give your wine a good swirl and take a deep sniff. What aromas do you detect? Is the bouquet strong or subtle? The complexity of a wine's aroma can tell you more than its taste, as our palates are limited to only five basic tastes, while our noses can pick up countless subtle nuances.
2: Smell
Astringency: That puckering sensation? It’s a sign of dryness, typically due to tannins in red wines.
Primary Aromas: Think fruit, herbs, and floral notes—straight from the grape.
Secondary Aromas: Hints of butter, cream, or toast? That’s the winemaking process talking.
Tertiary Aromas: A little leather, tobacco, or mushroom? These come from aging and give the wine character.
Intensity: Is the scent leaping out of the glass or whispering? Either way, pay attention.
Take a sip and let it wander around your mouth. How does it feel? How long does the flavor linger? Evaluate the balance of flavors—does one dominate or do they harmonize beautifully? Consider:
3: Taste
Acidity: High-acidity wines are tart or bitter, stimulating saliva production and giving that classic puckering feeling.
Body: The texture in your mouth—light, medium, or full-bodied?
Residual Sugar: Detect any sweetness? That’s the natural sugar from the grapes.
Complexity: A complex wine will offer a bouquet of flavors and a lingering finish.
There you have it, a comprehensive guide to tasting wine like a seasoned Wine Snob!