You may be attending a wine tasting at a beautiful vineyard, a restaurant, party or friend’s home. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced wine drinker, the social gatherings and giving your opinion about the wine may seem intimidating. You will want to present yourself with knowledge and confidence when tasting different wines. Think of it as stating your opinion about a beautiful piece of art. Wine is actually a work of art, since it takes talent, ability, knowledge and technique to blend a specific amount of ingredients that create deliciously unique flavors.
The Basics
First, you will want to hold your wine glass by the stem. You will always want to have a firm grasp on the stem since you will be swirling the wine around to open up the flavor of each wine you are tasting.
Red Wines
Usually, a wine tasting will include a wide variety of bite-sized hors d’oeuvres such as cheese, fruits, chocolates, caramel, herbs and much more. When tasting red wines, you’ll want to choose fruit that is similar in color to the wine. Strawberries and plums are good choices. In addition, tasting a bite of caramel or savory chocolate will bring out similar sweet notes within the red wine.
White Wines
When tasting a variety of white wines, choosing tropical fruits to eat while sipping the wine will bring out some of the signature notes in the white wine. Also, choosing a bit of lemon grass and lavender if available as hors d’oeuvres will bring out the exquisite flavors in white wine.
Wine Words
Learning some wine terminology id the first step to increasing your wine knowledge. Many beginners will feel more confident expressing their flavorful discoveries verbally when using words such as acidic, sharp, citrus, warm, smooth and delightful. You can see the full list of wine terminology and their definitions in this Wine Glossary.
A wine tasting experience is usually a chance for a sommelier, restaurant or vineyard to sell their wines. It is wise to ask questions about the wines as you taste each one. Make sure to read the labels carefully, since this is where you will learn the most about each wine. Don’t be afraid to ask about the tasting notes and other flavors within the wine. You should also ask for any food pairing recommendations that go best with each wine. Ultimately, you are looking for one that you find enjoyable and would like to purchase – either for a special occasion, dinner party, or to take to a restaurant.
Congrats, you are now on your way to be a wine tasting expert!