One of the most common questions we receive on wine tours is - How should I drink wine? At first it seems obvious - just drink the wine. But learning how to taste wine with intention can enhance your appreciation for its nuances and complexities. If you take a moment to reflect on what you’re drinking, it helps set guiding posts for yourself about the types of wines you like to drink and why. It’ll help improve your odds of finding good wine out in the wild. Additionally, it can also bring the wine to life if you know how it was made and why it tastes the way it does - a sense of intention and place.
In this blog post, we’ll walk you through a structured approach to tasting wine. From casual drinkers to those aspiring to taste like a sommelier, we’ll show you how to get the most out of every glass.
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Step-by-Step Guide to Tasting Wine
1. Appearance
Before you even take a sip, observe the wine in your glass. The appearance of the wine can give you clues about its age, grape variety, and even potential flavors.
Color: The depth of color can indicate the wine’s age or intensity.
Clarity: Is the wine clear or cloudy? A clear wine indicates careful winemaking, while a cloudy wine may suggest an unfiltered or natural wine.
Legs: Swirl the wine gently and watch the "legs" (the streaks that run down the inside of the glass). Thick, slow-moving legs can indicate higher alcohol or sugar content.
2. Give It a Good Swirl
Swirling your wine helps release its aromas, which is a key part of the tasting experience. In fact, much of what we “taste” in wine actually comes from the nose.
3. Sniff the Wine
Your sense of smell can detect hundreds of aromas, from fruity and floral to earthy and spicy. Take a moment to smell the wine and consider the following:
Fruit: Can you smell red fruits like cherry or strawberry? Or perhaps darker fruits like blackberry or plum? In white wines, look for citrus, apple, or tropical fruit aromas.
Non-Fruit Aromas: Do you pick up floral notes, herbs, spices, or even earthy elements like mushrooms or leather?
Oak Influence: Wines aged in oak barrels might have vanilla, cinnamon, caramel, or toasted aromas.
Take your time to really experience the wine’s nose. With practice, you’ll start to notice more subtle aromas.
4. Sip and Taste
Now it’s time to take a sip, but don’t swallow right away! Hold the wine in your mouth and let it coat your palate. Focus on the following:
Sweetness: Is the wine dry, off-dry, or sweet? Sweetness is often one of the first things you’ll notice.
Acidity: Acidity gives wine its freshness. If you feel a tingling on the sides of your tongue or your mouth waters, the wine has noticeable acidity.
- Tannins: Common in red wines, tannins create a drying sensation, much like black tea. Tannins contribute to the structure of the wine.
Body: The body refers to the wine’s weight in your mouth. Is it light, medium, or full-bodied?
Flavors: Identify the flavors that match the aromas you initially smelled. Do you taste ripe berries, citrus, vanilla, or spice?
Finish: After swallowing, focus on how long the flavors linger. A long, complex finish often indicates a high-quality wine.
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From Casual to Professional: Tasting Like a Pro
Casual Wine Drinkers
For those new to wine or looking to enjoy it in a relaxed setting, start simple:
- Focus on what you like or don’t like about the wine.
- Don’t worry about identifying every flavor—just note the ones that stand out.
- Try tasting a few different wines side by side to notice contrasts in flavor, acidity, and sweetness.
Intermediate Tasters
As you become more comfortable, begin comparing wines by region, grape variety, or style:
- Take note of how wines from different climates (cool vs. warm) affect flavors.
- Start paying more attention to texture (acidity and tannins) and how it influences your perception of the wine.
- Keep a wine journal to track what you’ve tasted and enjoyed. Write down tasting notes and compare them over time to see how your palate develops.
Tasting Like a Sommelier
For those aspiring to taste wine like a professional, it’s all about refining your sensory skills:
- Focus on the subtle nuances—like the balance between fruit, acidity, and tannins.
- Practice blind tasting to hone your skills in identifying wine characteristics without knowing what’s in your glass.
- Pay close attention to a wine’s structure, balance, and complexity.
- Take part in structured tastings, whether at a winery or in a class setting, where you can learn from experts and compare notes with others.
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Tips for Getting Better at Tasting Wine
1. Taste Often: The more you taste, the better you’ll become at identifying specific flavors and characteristics. Don't be shy about using a spit cup. You quickly lose your focus if you get too inebriated.
2. Taste in Groups: Wine tasting is more fun with friends, and discussing what you smell or taste can help you learn from others.
3. Try Different Styles: Explore wines from various regions, grape varieties, or different vintages to expand your palate. Being intentional about what you're drinking can really move your knowledge quickly.
4. Use Wine Tasting Tools: Resources like aroma wheels can help you identify the different scents and flavors in wine.
5. Visit Wineries: There’s no better way to enhance your tasting skills than by visiting wineries, where you can learn directly from winemakers and sommeliers.
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Conclusion: Make Wine Tasting Your Ritual
Tasting wine is a journey—one that gets richer with practice. Whether you're sipping casually with friends or refining your palate like a sommelier, taking a thoughtful approach to wine tasting will deepen your appreciation for the craft. And the best way to start? Join us on a wine tour of the Willamette Valley! At Ritual Wine, we curate personalized wine experiences where you can practice your tasting skills, learn from experts, and savor some of Oregon’s finest wines.
Ready to sip, swirl, and savor? Book your tour today and elevate your wine journey with Ritual Wine.
Follow us on Instagram: @ritualwinepnw
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