Wine Tasting for Beginners

Ah, wine, the mysterious but delicious drink of the sophisticated gentry. Maybe you're interested in learning more about wine, but you're a bit intimidated by those "wine snobs." They sip a wine and notice floral notes and oaky undertones. You sip the same wine and taste . . .  fermented grapes.

What do they have that you don't have? Experience! With practice, you, too, can develop a palate that will allow you to taste those subtle flavors. Start with a practical wine tasting at the best wine store in Oakwood, GA.

The Four Basic Steps to Wine Tasting

First, look at the wine. Notice the color and the clarity when you hold the wine up to the light.

Second, smell the wine (sometimes known as "giving it a sniff"). You can swirl the wine in the glass to release aromas before bringing your nose to the glass. What you smell within the wine is often a very personal experience, but many people talk about berries, nuts, or flowers and other scents found in nature. In addition to pleasing aromas, you may detect unpleasant odors such as vinegar or mustiness. This may indicate that something went awry in the production or storage of the wine. Be sure to bring any bad sniffs to the attention of your wine steward.

Third, taste the wine. Take a sip and swish it gently around in your mouth. You will likely be able to detect a sour taste; that's because of the acid production that is inherent in the winemaking process. You may notice sweetness that wasn't readily apparent when you did your sniff test; experts say that is because only your taste buds can detect sweetness. Also, during your tasting, note the texture of the wine. Does it taste rich? Thin or weak? Remember, there is no wrong answer; the tasting experience is a personal one.

Fourth, record your thoughts about the wine. Some wine aficionados keep highly detailed written records, noting vineyard information, age, grape variety, and their personal observations about their tasting experience. Other wine enthusiasts prefer to talk with other people and compare notes, reserving judgment about a wine until they've had a chance to hear opinions other than their own.

Remember, your tasting experience is just as valid as anyone else's! Stop by the best wine store in Oakwood, GA for tips on how to begin your own exploration into tasting wines.

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Created on Mar 16th 2018 01:43. Viewed 402 times.

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