No wine snobbery here. What you are about to read is loaded suggestions not RULES. Wine is not about rules just preferences, that can to debated, too! For this writing let's just think about preferences; what do you like. Each month we hope install a new segment to help define "preferences" into a guided tour through the "wilderness of wine". So, let's have fun!
Choose the right wine for the occasion, food and entertainment.
Sense -sense what your wine experience will be like and then was it what you expected. Ask, will it produce the positive result?
Select -. your first selection will be based on your history with wine; you may have had a wine before and liked it or heard a trusted someone mention a particular wine. This is good place to start. You might buy it for your occasion based on these notions. Be cautious of the "Pretty Wine Bottle Phenomena". It states that many beginners buy wine based on how pretty the label. This is great entertainment, appreciation of art and the advertiser's dream. However, after some experience and knowing how to read the little information on a wine bottle label your choices become far easier. Please don't buy on price alone. Is $50.00 a bottle better than $15.00 or even less? Many very good wines are not expensive at all. Experience is your best guide to price vs. value.
See - see the bottle of wine; is the label pretty! Read the label information, look at bottle's shape and color and is it screw cap or cork. Open the wine and let it sit for a few minutes, select a stemmed wine glass. We'll not go into the "wine ware world" just now, but in much later articles.
Stream - stream the wine from the bottle into the glass (by the stem tilt the glass and bottle equally, it's easier to pour) in a steady level stream or pour. About 5ozs.into the glass if drinking or several ounces if just tasting.
Settle - let the wine settle in the glass, a few moments or so, the bubbles, if any, will disappear, now look at the wine,
Swirl - swirl the wine in the glass. This is typically done by pressing down firmly and securely on the flared or flat base of a stemmed glass and moving it in a gentle but intentional circular motion about the length of your index and second finger, perhaps 5 rotations. This agitation releases alcohol in the wine that carries the aromas upwards on the inside of glass.
Sniff - now lift the glass to your nose and sniff the wine; capture its aroma, the nose, its bouquet. What does it smell like, describe it. Fruit, floral, veggie, chocolate, leather or any other scent the world produces. Experts say that 65- 80% of taste results from smell, the sniff. Keep that scent thought going,
Sip - sip the wine, enough to completely cover the tongue where the taste buds live. Move the wine about the tongue, gently pressing it. Some call this "chewing the wine". Now, you should have a good idea of what this wine is all about. What does it taste like, describe it.
Swallow - swallow does not mean gulping it down. Let the wine gently slide down the throat. Feel for the finish and continuing flavors. Some will gain additional flavors and aromas here, too. There is more to this than one would expect. This is where the "finish" begins and the final flavors/notes develop. As it goes down the bouquet of the wine may re-intensify, the taste buds are still working and the combinations may continue for a time. This may give you the complexity of the wine and how you think about it. It's called the finish and it's very important in judging a wine's quality.
Sensuality - do you love it, want more! This quiet moment will speak volumes about this wine. If you have followed these steps and given due appreciation to them the wine will reveal itself. You'll know if this wine belongs on your list of favorites or maybe not. Ask yourself, was this the right wine for the occasion, food and guests.
Hope you enjoyed this wine tasting. If you asked a wine expert about our tasting tips, perhaps a Sommelier, they may say this list coulda, woulda or shoulda included other thoughts.
Gil says, "wine is the conversation held in a bottle, uncorked, the truth pours forth". This means, as wine ages in its bottle chemistry takes place that may change and alter the wine's original flavor and character, hopefully to the good. This may enhance the complexity and long finish of the wine giving it a memorable place on your favored wine list. Aging can make an OK wine into an amazing wine in time. Wine is a preference among many alternatives, wine is the emperor of all libations.
Taste often, takes notes and select well.
Contact us for private wine tastings, corporate wine functions and fundraising events.
[email protected]