Wine Basics

How to Taste Wine

1. Sight

Check out the color, clarity and viscosity( legs or tears). You don’t really need to spend more than 5 seconds on this step.

2. Nose

Pick out at least 2 flavors and take your time identifying them. There are 3 types of wine aromas:

·       Primary Aromas come from grapes and include fruit, herb and flower notes

·       Secondary Aromas come from fermentation and yeast aromas.

·       Tertiary Bouquets come from aging, oxidation and oak such as baking spices, nutty aromas and vanilla.

3. Palate

Two elements make up taste: flavor and structure.

·       Flavors such as lemon, raspberry or coconut.

·       Structure such as the level of sweetness, body, alcohol, acidity, and tannin.

·       Profile The taste of wine is also time-based, there is a beginning, middle (mid-palate) and end (finish).

4. Conclude

Did the wine taste balanced or out of balance? Did you like the wine? Was this wine unique or unmemorable? Were there any characteristics that shined through and impressed you?

How To Attend a Wine Tasting:

It's time for all the wine importers to showcase their portfolios for tastings to press/media and trade professionals. Here are a few tips when attending a wine tasting:

1. Dress for the event 

Dress in dark colors (the better to hide spills), avoid dangling sleeves (so you don't cause spills) and consider the venue to appropriate dress code. Women should consider wearing flats or low heels for comfort. If you have long hair, tie it back so you can spit easily or keep a hand free to hold it back. And if you’re going to carry anything (tasting book, notebook, smartphone or tablet), bring a purse (careful of what’s behind you, I've seen tasting glasses fall from a bag/purse, or have deep pockets to stash it. Carrying a wineglass around means you’ll only have one hand free for holding a plate of food, shaking hands with winemakers and taking notes.

2. Don't wear fragrance 

Smell is a huge part of tasting. It's impossible to appreciate all the aromas of a delicate Riesling or a layered Cabernet when the air is heavy with perfume, cologne or smoke. So be mindful not to introduce any unwanted aromatics to the tasting area. You don't want to be the answer to, "What's that smell?"

3. Come up with a plan for tasting 

At most tastings, there will be more wines than you can sensibly try in just a few hours. If you can get a list of the producers or wines at the tasting ahead of time, come prepared with a game plan. A basic plan involves browsing your way through the aisles, working from light wines to heavier ones: Start with sparkling wines, then fresh whites and move on to richer whites and tannic reds. But you can get a lot more focused: A survey of the wines of Italy or Spain. A comparative tasting of only one variety such as Pinot Noir from different appellations? All up to you.

Polish off the evening with something unforgettable, such as a glass of sweet wine such as late-harvest Riesling, Sauternes or Port. Some like to finish with Champagne, which is considered the “perfect palate cleanser.”

4. Eat something 

Tasting wines (and maybe drinking some too) on an empty stomach is a recipe for getting drunk quickly and not being able to enjoy the rest of the event. Remember to eat beforehand, and if there’s food offered at the tasting, take a break to eat there too. Drinking water in between wines helps to stay hydrated.

5. Remember to spit (at least most of the time) 

yes, you’ll be tasting good wines, and yes, no one likes to “waste” wine, but those tasting-size pours really add up—and add up quickly at that. To get the full experience of the event, you’ll want to pace yourself by spitting wine as you go. That's why there are buckets on every table. Unglamorous maybe, but be advised, all the pros do it. If you don't want to finish a wine, pour it out into one of the spit buckets.

6. Take notes 

You may swear you'll remember the name of that fantastic red from Portugal, but even if you're spitting consistently, a couple dozen wines and a day later, you'll be struggling to recall whether you preferred the Touriga National or Tinta Roriz at the booth next to it. If you’re using the tasting as a scouting trip for bottles you want to buy, remember to bring something to write with so you can take notes, or use your camera phone to document the wines you liked. 

7. Think ahead about the red-wine teeth dilemma 

It’s an unfortunate side effect of the wine-tasting business that drinking red wine can stain your teeth. Unless you want to leave the event with a purple-tinged grin, think ahead about how you’re going to manage this. Brushing your teeth right after wine tasting can strip your teeth of protective enamel. The better route is to remember to drink water and maybe bring some chewing gum for when you're done.

8. Talk to the winemakers 

Wine can be more fun and memorable when you know the story behind the bottle. At the Wine Experience, the winemakers and winery owners come to pour at the event. So take the time to talk to them. If you have any questions about styles, grapes, vintages or regions, they are a great resource. If you’re polite and enthusiastic, they’ll want to answer your questions and make a connection...that’s why they’re there.

9. Don’t hog the booth 

If plenty of guests are clamoring to get a taste, don't monopolize the table or block the spit bucket. Take your glass and move away to give others a chance and to avoid being jostled, or step to one side to continue your conversation with the winemaker while allowing them to pour for others.

10. Have fun 

Some people get very serious when they’re tasting wines, but remember it’s OK to smile and have a good time too. You’re tasting wine, not attending a tax seminar, and you will not be polled at the exit doors.