Wine Tasting Like a Pro - Questions to Answer
One of the biggest concerns I hear from friends and family when we talk about wine tasting is that they are concerned about how to wine taste in a way that everyone in the tasting room won't think they are new to the world of wine.
I usually tell them that no one is paying attention and that while some people within the industry are quite stuffy, that the wine industry is much more friendly and considerate then they might otherwise imagine.
As you might expect, that doesn't settle their nerves, so here is a short list to get you started and hopefully make you feel more comfortable in the tasting room environment.
To start your tasting experience I suggest finding an area of the tasting room where you can have adequate space, access to a spit cup and a glass of water.
You should be started with white wine's and work progressively from lighter wines to heavier, often finishing with a dessert wine or port if the winery makes one.
When you first receive the wine in your glass start by smelling the wine.
Take a minute, what do you smell? Swirl the wine in your glass for a bit to let the oxygen interact with the wine, read the provided tasting notes.
Do you smell anything they have listed? Ok, so taste the wine but don't swallow it instantly.
Move the wine around your mouth and tongue.
You want to move the wine around your mouth because your tongue picks up different flavors more easily based on the area of the tongue.
Can you taste anything listed on the tasting notes? Lastly I do suggest that you use the spit cup at least half the time, don't be afraid to pour out a wine if you don't care for it.
For most people there is so much great wine out there, why taste the time and calories on one you don't enjoy? Even when spitting you should be able to get some idea about the finish of the wine.
Does it leave your mouth dry or wet? Wait at least thirty seconds, does the flavor in your mouth change over time? Does the finish of the wine stay with you? I also suggest people spend thirty seconds with a wine before making any determination about the quality of the wine and if they like it or not.
Taking these easy to follow questions should not only make you feel more comfortable about wine tasting, but should allow you a better idea of the types of wine that you truly enjoy.
I usually tell them that no one is paying attention and that while some people within the industry are quite stuffy, that the wine industry is much more friendly and considerate then they might otherwise imagine.
As you might expect, that doesn't settle their nerves, so here is a short list to get you started and hopefully make you feel more comfortable in the tasting room environment.
To start your tasting experience I suggest finding an area of the tasting room where you can have adequate space, access to a spit cup and a glass of water.
You should be started with white wine's and work progressively from lighter wines to heavier, often finishing with a dessert wine or port if the winery makes one.
When you first receive the wine in your glass start by smelling the wine.
Take a minute, what do you smell? Swirl the wine in your glass for a bit to let the oxygen interact with the wine, read the provided tasting notes.
Do you smell anything they have listed? Ok, so taste the wine but don't swallow it instantly.
Move the wine around your mouth and tongue.
You want to move the wine around your mouth because your tongue picks up different flavors more easily based on the area of the tongue.
Can you taste anything listed on the tasting notes? Lastly I do suggest that you use the spit cup at least half the time, don't be afraid to pour out a wine if you don't care for it.
For most people there is so much great wine out there, why taste the time and calories on one you don't enjoy? Even when spitting you should be able to get some idea about the finish of the wine.
Does it leave your mouth dry or wet? Wait at least thirty seconds, does the flavor in your mouth change over time? Does the finish of the wine stay with you? I also suggest people spend thirty seconds with a wine before making any determination about the quality of the wine and if they like it or not.
Taking these easy to follow questions should not only make you feel more comfortable about wine tasting, but should allow you a better idea of the types of wine that you truly enjoy.
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