Wine FAQs

How do I best taste wine?

The best way to taste wine is by following four steps, look, smell, taste and finish. First look at the color and clarity of the wine. Look beyond red and white, what other colors are there? Is it transparent, cloudy, dark or dull? Notice the sediment if there is any. Now swirl the wine gently in the glass and smell it quickly. Now smell it again this time much deeper. The second impression should give more insight into the tougher to detect flavors. Now taste it, take a small sip and let it sit on your tongue for a second.

There are three parts of tasting, the attack, evolution and finish. The attack shows the strongest flavors and tannins as well as the alcohol content. The evolution is more subtle, revealing complex notes that add to the overall flavor. The finish is how long the flavor lasts and changes in the mouth after the wine has been swallowed. Did it last several seconds? Was it light-bodied (like water) or full-bodied (like the consistency of milk)? Can you taste the remnant of the wine on the back of your mouth and throat? Do you want another sip or was the wine too bitter at the end? What was your last flavor impression – fruit, butter, oak? Does the taste persist or is it short-lived? Record your impressions if you liked the wine, and the more you try the more flavors that can be noticed.

What is the best way to select a good wine?

Price is one of the determining factors, but good wines come in every price range and every wine over $30 is not necessarily a good wine as is widely believed. Many good wines are in the $15-20 price range. The next step is preference. Do you like white wines or red? Maybe you like a sparkling wine or dessert wine? Know who you will be sharing the wine with as well. People who don’t drink a lot of wine might like a starter wine such as a Merlot or Pinot Noir. A good wine salesman will know plenty of great wines to suggest for any group. An option step might be pairing the wine with the food. Think of what the main dish will be, many people pair white wines with light meats, and red wines with red meat and heartier meals. Really it comes down to personal preference, there is not science, just creativity.

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	Home > FAQs Wine FAQs How do I best taste wine? The best way to taste wine is by following four steps, look, smell, taste and finish. First look at the color and clarity of the wine. Look beyond red and white, what other colors are there? Is it transparent, cloudy, dark or dull? Notice the sediment if there is any. Now swirl the wine gently in the glass and smell it quickly. Now smell it again this time much deeper. The second impression should give more insight into the tougher to detect flavors. Now taste it, take a small sip and let it sit on your tongue for a second. There are three parts of tasting, the attack, evolution and finish. The attack shows the strongest flavors and tannins as well as the alcohol content. The evolution is more subtle, revealing complex notes that add to the overall flavor. The finish is how long the flavor lasts and changes in the mouth after the wine has been swallowed. Did it last several seconds? Was it light-bodied (like water) or full-bodied (like the consistency of milk)? Can you taste the remnant of the wine on the back of your mouth and throat? Do you want another sip or was the wine too bitter at the end? What was your last flavor impression – fruit, butter, oak? Does the taste persist or is it short-lived? Record your impressions if you liked the wine, and the more you try the more flavors that can be noticed. What is the best way to select a good wine? Price is one of the determining factors, but good wines come in every price range and every wine over $30 is not necessarily a good wine as is widely believed. Many good wines are in the $15-20 price range. The next step is preference. Do you like white wines or red? Maybe you like a sparkling wine or dessert wine? Know who you will be sharing the wine with as well. People who don’t drink a lot of wine might like a starter wine such as a Merlot or Pinot Noir. A good wine salesman will know plenty of great wines to suggest for any group. An option step might be pairing the wine with the food. Think of what the main dish will be, many people pair white wines with light meats, and red wines with red meat and heartier meals. Really it comes down to personal preference, there is not science, just creativity.
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