Go Wine Tasting

Lincourt winery is located in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley, right in the midst of a beautiful group of wineries. Lincourt is wonderfully intimate: those working behind the counter were quick to give thoughtful recommendations on what wines we might like. However, they were not pushy salespeople, trying to get bottles off the shelves. They just wanted to help! We felt right at home, right away.

lincourt winery tasting room wine tasting santa barbara california

The Lincourt wines we tasted were delicious! The syrah was fruity and full-bodied, and we got the distinct taste of raspberries. The chardonnay tasted of citrus, and tasted buttery. Wonderful!

One of the nicest things about Lincourt is what its not: huge, corporate, or impersonal. Unlike some of the larger and more popular wineries around Santa Barbara, we felt appreciated and taken care of at Lincourt. We would highly recommend trying this place out!

lincourt tasting room california winery

Enjoying wine does not have to be expensive!  There are delicious wines at any variety of prices.  Here is a list of 5 great wines for under 15 dollars!  Any of these wines would make holiday gifts, as well.

1.  Yellowtail 2008 Pinot Grigio.  This wine is pleasantly lighter than a usual Pinot Grigio.  It has some fruity, melon peach tastes, with a delicious creamy smooth, yet clean flavor. $8.50

2. Chateau St. Jean 2007 Chardonnay Sonoma. A well-rounded wine in all regards, it is smooth and easy.  Spicy and peachy, but not too sweet.  $9.50

3. Sonoma Vineyads 2004 Merlot. A zesty red wine!  Make sure to look for the aftertaste, it is very noticeable.  However, it is not too full of body.  It is an excellent wine, especially for it’s price range.  Very versatile.  $14

4. Gallo of Sonoma 2005 Pinot Noir.  If you are a beginning wine drinker, Pinot Noir is a heavier flavor, so you might want to start with one of the others before trying this.  This wine has a long after-taste, but it is delicious, so you won’t mind it lingering!  It is well rounded and has a distinctly ripe flavor.  $15

5. Robert Mondavi 2006 Fume Blanc Private Selection.  This is a great basic Sauvignon Blanc wine.  Crisp in the finish, very light.  An excellent beginners wine.  $9.99

Enjoy experimenting!  Remember, price does not always equal quality.  Try it out and see how it goes!  Leave a note in the comments section if you have any other delicious bargain wines.

Many people enjoy the experience of wine tasting, but are confused about what they should be looking for in a good wine. The world of wine can be overwhelming and intimidating, but remember: wine preference is a question of personal taste. You can love a cheap wine and hate a well-respected wine! Here are some pointers for what you might want to consider when tasting a wine:

What it looks like: Hold the glass up to the light, and look at the wine. Red wines may be reddish brown, ruby red. Red wines generally loose color as they age. White wines may become more golden with age.

What it smells like: Swirl the wine around in the glass, coating its sides and maximizing the fragrance in the glass. See what kinds of smells you can identify. They might be floral, fruity, woodsy, smokey, earthy, even spicy! Smelling the wine is almost as important as tasting the wine when fully experiencing a wine sample.

What it feels like: After you’ve taken a sip, swirl it around in your mouth to coat your tongue and mouth. Wine provides a tactile experience, called a “mouthfeel” which furthers the sensory experience. Look for feelings like refreshment, velvety, or even prickly!

And last but not least,

What it tastes like: Now that you’ve coated your tongue with wine, how does it taste? What flavors can you pick out of the wine? Enjoy and savor the wine before swallowing it or spitting it out. Make sure you look for the lingering aftertaste, or “finish.”

Remember, don’t be intimidated and have fun!

Here is a great (if not a bit cheesy) video documenting the proper method of tasting a wine. Frank Mangio is a famous and well respected wine connoisseur based in Temecula in Southern California. He outlines 4 basic steps in the Southern California.  He outlines 4 basic steps in the wine tasting process: Color, Swirling, Smelling, and Taste. By performing all these steps.  By performing all these steps, the taster can fully enjoy and savor the wine.  Enjoy!

Wine Enthusiast Reserve Red Wine Glasses (Set of 4)
Price: $29.95

Wine Enthusiast Reserve White Wine Glasses (Set of 4)
Price: $29.95

Wine Enthusiast Reserve Champagne Flutes (Set of 4)
Price: $29.95

Libbey Glass, Sherry, Embassy, 3 oz, Case of 12, Clear
Price: $37.37
Glass, Sherry, Embassy, 3 oz, Case of 12

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