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Wine Tasting
Understanding Wine |
The Basics of Wine Tasting - Getting Ready for Your First Wine Tasting PartyDespite the high levels to which some would raise it, wine has been a common part of human culture and daily life for centuries. Yes, wine was drunk by famous people, such as Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, and even Jesus and his disciples. However, for most of its history, wine has been a drink used by all levels of society...and often the same wine for all.Today, however, wine has come a long way and, though still one of the most popular beverages in the world, offers all levels of experience for the wine connoisseur, or the average Joe or Jane looking for an interesting, and rewarding, hobby.  In the modern world of wine, many people enjoy wine both as a delightful drink and as an interesting and fulfilling hobby. Many host wine tasting parties in celebration of this wonderful, historical beverage which, like fine art, offers facets and features which can be enjoyed far beyond merely using or noticing it.
Parties and events centered around wine tasting are quite enjoyable on many levels. You will be able to taste different kinds of wine, experience new flavors, meet new people and share your knowledge and experience with them as you learn from them as well. It won't take many such events before you find yourself with some new knowledge about the fruit of the grape, some new favorite wines, and, quite possibly, some new favorite people to be with. But, there may be that fear that so many have: I don't know how to taste wine! Of course you wouldn’t want to fear being the laughing stock at the party just because you don’t know how to taste wine properly. The fact of the matter is that most people there will be ready and willing to share their knowledge with you and initiate you into the fold. In fact, the only way to become skilled at tasting wine is...well...by tasting wine! Still, it's always a bit more calming to approach new ventures with some knowledge of the basics, at least. So, here are a few wine tasting basics on how to taste wine to get you started at your first wine tasting experience. The first step in tasting wine is not to take a gulp, but to look the wine over. You will notice that, at a wine tasting event, the glass seems never to be filled with wine. This is so that when it is time for you to "rim test" the wine, you will be able to tilt the glass to take a look at its color. You probably won't be able to tilt a full glass, right? When wine tasting, you hold the wine glass by the stem and never by the bowl. This may feel awkward at first, but, the reason for this is to avoid altering the temperature of the wine with the warmth from your hands. Each wine has a temperature at which it is at its best, and the experienced wine taster respects this and makes it a part of the process. However, there is another reason for holding a wine glass by the stem. This is to avoid blurring the color of the wine by leaving fingerprints on the glass. If you've ever seen a glass which has been acquired a patina of fingerprints, you will also realize how much that can attract from the appearance of the wine in the glass as well. Once you have observed the color of the wine, the next step is "swirling" the wine in the glass. It can be a bit tricky to do this while holding a wine glass by the stem, so a little practice at home in private, will be a good idea if you don't want to appear too awkward at the wine tasting party itself. The reason for swirling the wine in the glass is to agitate the wine so that it will release its aroma as well as its flavor. Swirling the wine will also expose the "tears" (as in crying) or the "legs" of the wine. You may also hear these referred to as "curtains", or "church windows". The more tears or legs, in the wine, the higher the alcohol content of the wine. Having looked at the wine, your next step is to smell it. When you swirled the wine in the glass, you released the scent of the wine. To get the aroma, put your nose right into the bowl of the wine glass and inhale deeply. About two inhalations should do it. To an experienced wine taster, the smell of the wine will help indicate its age and its origin. For an expert, quality of the wine may also be determined by the smell alone. However, don't be afraid if at first you don't know what you are smelling. That will come with experience, and, again, it will not hurt to ask a more experienced wine taster what they smell. It will give you a basis for recognizing and understanding what is told to you by the wine's aroma. Finally, after all that, you will be ready for the wine tasting itself. This is another reason for not filling the glass too full...especially as there may be several wines to be tasted and you don't want to get snockered on the first couple of glasses. Wine tasting isn't about gulping everything inside the wine glass at once anyway. You take small sips of the wine, and, most important of all, you need to be able to taste it...which you cannot do with a "Through the teeth and over the gums, look out stomach here she comes." approach. Once the small sip of wine is in your mouth, roll the wine around your tongue. There are three things to remember when wine tasting: 1. The first impression or what the wine tastes like when it enters your mouth,As I have mentioned, wine tasting is an acquired skill, but these are some steps you need to remember when you taste wine, and the reasons for them. Get these tips down and you can be more confident that you will be able to appear "in the know" when you attend your first wine tasting party...and many more after that one, I hope. |
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The Basics of Wine Tasting - Copyright 2019 by Donovan Baldwin
Page Updated 11L14 AM Monday 11/11/2019
