Go Wine Tasting

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!