| Have you ever thought about spending a day or | | | | and it smelled funny to you, chances are, you |
| weekend touring wine country? If this is | | | | would have second thoughts wouldn't you? After |
| something you've been considering, here are | | | | all, our sense of taste is very closely linked to our |
| some tips for the beginners out there to make | | | | sense of smell. This is why it's always frustrating |
| the most out of your experience. Taking a trip | | | | to enjoy food when you have a stuffy nose. |
| out to your local vineyards is a great way to | | | | After you've swirled the wine a few times, place |
| relax and unwind. Learning the basics of how to | | | | your nose right over the rim of the glass and |
| savor the endless variations of wine will definitely | | | | take a nice deep breathe. Try and see if you can |
| keep you coming back for more. | | | | distinguish all the different scents that hit your |
| The fundamental goal of wine tasting is to | | | | nose. You may be able to distinguish the various |
| discover which types of wines you absolutely | | | | fruits such as berries, apples, citrus, to hints of |
| enjoy as well as the ones that don't exactly suit | | | | herbs and spices. This initial aroma may also be |
| you. There really is no right or wrong when it | | | | followed up with a more smokey, toasty scent |
| comes to wine so I wanted to emphasize this | | | | which is due to the way wine gets fermented and |
| point to make sure you start with a fresh and | | | | aged in oak barrels. |
| clear conscience. Now on to the basic tips to help | | | | Tip # 5 |
| you on your journey in finding the perfect wine! | | | | "Tasting" |
| Tip # 1 | | | | Most people start out with experimenting in the |
| "The Wine Glass" | | | | comfort of their own home. Begin with pouring a |
| You should always start with a clean and clear | | | | little bit of wine into your glass; just about an inch |
| wine glass. Make sure it is a true wine glass and | | | | at most. If you have a wide selection of wines to |
| not a champagne glass or any other type. You | | | | choose from, it is generally better to start with |
| can easily distinguish a wine glass from others by | | | | the lightest of them all (Whites) and then progress |
| noticing that it bends inwards. This is to prevent | | | | to the darker wines (Reds). Keeping your taste |
| you from spilling when you swirl the wine. Another | | | | buds fresh and sensitive is the key here so it's |
| main point is that it helps concentrate the | | | | better to be consistent and gradual with the |
| delightful aromas straight to the nose. | | | | series of wine. You can also help cleanse your |
| Tip # 2 | | | | palate in between each wine tasting with a small |
| "Color" | | | | sip of water. Now lets take a sip. Keep in mind |
| Have you ever been in a restaurant and noticed | | | | that we are tasting so no big gulps! Before you |
| someone holding up a glass of wine to stare at it? | | | | swallow, let the flavors of the wine simmer on |
| Believe it or not, this is an important step because | | | | your taste buds a little bit. Let it slide across your |
| it gives you some insight on the age of the wine. | | | | tongue a few times, try and take in all the |
| Hold the glass up into the light or against a white | | | | different flavors that are present. |
| background. Generally, white wines that are young | | | | There are some basic elements you'll notice right |
| in age will range from a pale yellow to more of a | | | | away with any wine. Is it tart or sweet? Does |
| rich amber. They will darken as they age into a | | | | the alcohol hit you right away? Is it nice and |
| more golden-brown color. Red wines are actually | | | | smooth or does it pack a punch? A well balanced |
| on the opposite end of the spectrum. They | | | | wine will be somewhere in the middle for these |
| gradually lose their color and become more pale | | | | types of characteristics. You can swallow the |
| as they age. Red wines that are young in age will | | | | wine at this point and take note of any lingering |
| range from a lighter shade of red to a deep dark | | | | tastes. If you happen to take a trip to the local |
| cherry red, kind of like the color of red bricks. | | | | vineyards, you will notice that there are |
| Tip # 3 | | | | containers to spit out the wine after it is tasted. |
| "The Swirl" | | | | Some wine tasters prefer to spit out the wine |
| The basic principal behind swirling the wine is to let | | | | rather than swallow it so don't be shy if you are |
| it breathe or aerate so that it releases the | | | | not the latter. This is just a matter of personal |
| wonderful aromas. Take your glass by the stem | | | | preference. |
| and swirl it a few times in a circular motion. You | | | | In conclusion, it is important to choose the wine |
| can either leave the glass on the table while you | | | | that you truly enjoy rather than be influenced by |
| do this or hold it in your hand if you prefer. | | | | others. After all, no one will know what you like |
| Tip # 4 | | | | better than yourself. I encourage you to try as |
| "Aroma" | | | | many varieties of wine as you can. As you |
| Most will judge the quality of a wine by it's smell | | | | become more experienced, your taste buds will |
| or fragrance if you will. A good example of this | | | | lead you to the perfect bottle that suits you. |
| would be the food we eat. If someone gave you | | | | Happy wine tasting! |
| something to eat that you've never tried before | | | | |