meganbeckitt
There's no right and wrong when it comes to wine tasting. That said, there are some basic tips that will help you evaluate a new wine to see if it suits your taste.
Wine tasting should be an enjoyable experience that helps you appreciate wine and find new favourites to come back to.
The rim of the glass should bend inwards to help funnel aromas to the nose and allow you to swirl without spilling.
If you aren't wine tasting at a vineyard, you'll need to source your own wines to taste. Buy wine online or ask for some good suggestions at your local alcohol store.
An inch or less is best. If you are tasting several wines, begin with the lightest (sparkling wines, rosés, then light whites followed by full-bodied whites) and progress to the heaviest (light reds to more full-bodied reds followed by dessert wines). This will help keep your taste buds more sensitive so you can better appreciate each wine in the series. A sip of water between wines can also help preserve your palate.
It often helps to hold the glass up to light or hold it against a white background, like a white napkin. Color can give you a clue as to the age of the wine. White wines generally gain color as they age. Red wines lose color.
Holding the glass by its stem, instead of the bowl, makes this easier. Hold it in your hand or keep it on a surface, whichever is easier. Swirling is done to aerate the wine and release vapors which evaporate from the sides of the glass for you to smell.
Since most of a wine’s charm is actually in its smell, rather than its taste, this is important. Most wines have characteristic aromas of the grapes they are made from i.e. Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, etc.
Not a gulp, just a sip that fills your mouth halfway. Swallow a small amount if you wish to note any lingering "finish."
