So you like drinking wine, but don’t actually know much about it? Do you want to feel more confident when talking about wine? You would like to know how to choose a “good” wine? You aren’t alone—and I am here to help.
Many of us enjoy drinking wine but don’t really understand or appreciate the complexity of this amazing beverage. And many feel nervous about discussing wines, thinking they may say the wrong thing.
Fear not—there is no right or wrong when appreciating wine, but the more you know and understand, the more you will really treasure and enjoy the experience of wine tasting.
Appearance, Aroma, and Mouthfeel
When appreciating wine, all of the senses are employed. Formal wine judges and critics will appraise the appearance, aroma, and taste (or “mouthfeel”) of a wine, and anyone who has heard the pop of a cork from a bottle of sparkling has appreciated the sound.The color of a wine is also important. A young white wine should be a very pale yellow or “straw” color, and a young red may have purple notes. Brown tinges of a young wine indicate that the wine may be spoiled—possibly premature aging due to poor storage.
There are hundreds of aroma compounds, which all contribute to the smell of a wine. The term “aroma” refers to the smells originating from the grape and “bouquet” from the smells resulting from the winemaking process.
A good wine shouldn’t be simple—it should have an interesting array of aromas. A wine shouldn’t have any undesirable or off odors, as this can also indicate spoilage. The smell of a wine should make you want to have a taste of it!
While you are tasting, you can observe how wines range in style from dry (lacking any sugar) to very sweet, from still to sparking, and may have varying concentrations of alcohol (ethanol). Pay attention to how acidic the wine is, and notice if the wine has an astringency or bitterness—these are the tannins found particularly in red wines.
Notice the different flavors derived from both the grape and the winemaking process.
How to Taste
There are a number of factors that will improve your wine-tasting experience, and three main steps are taken when wine tasting.Step 1: Look
Is the wine clear and free from any deposits or solids? Does it have any bronzing? Does it have bubbles when it isn’t a sparkling style?Step 2: Smell
Swirl the glass to coat the insides with wine. This helps to release the aroma compounds. Put your nose right into the glass and take a deep sniff. Does it smell good? Free from any off odors? Can you smell fruity and floral aromas that come from the grape? Are there any oak or yeasty aromas from the winemaking process?Step 3: Taste
Take a big sip and move it about your mouth. Can you taste grape flavors, acid, warmth, some viscosity, or oiliness? You can even suck some air in through your teeth, which helps to release aroma compounds in your mouth, which can then travel through your nose to help you taste and smell the wine even better.Is the wine complex? Does the taste last for a long time in your mouth, or does the wine taste quickly disappear?
And How to Appreciate
The best way to really appreciate and enjoy wine is to talk about it. Enjoy wine with others such as a group of friends or a local wine enthusiast group. Taste wines side by side so you can compare the differences.There is a wealth of information on wine appreciation available—wine critics give reviews of wines in print and online, and most larger wine retailers will also provide wine reviews. Or get out to wineries and talk to the cellar door staff or winemakers about their wines. It’s very useful to talk to other people, as this helps you to build up your “wine vocabulary.”
