| What's that? Never been wine tasting before? | | | | like Cabarnet or Petite Syrah will almost stain the |
| Well, prepare yourself for a life-changing | | | | glass because of the rich fruit and tannins. An |
| experience, that is for sure. And even if you have | | | | older red wine will be more translucent than a |
| been before, you know that the whole idea of | | | | younger red wine. |
| wine and wine tasting just gets better the more | | | | 3. To get a good feel for the wine's complete |
| times you engage in it. Wine is truly one of mans | | | | aroma you'll need to gently swirl your glass again. |
| greatest pursuits and pleasures. After all, it's been | | | | What does this do? It enhances the wine's natural |
| around for centuries and is enjoyed by cultures | | | | aromas and helps you pick up on the subtleties in |
| around the globe, in every corner of the world. | | | | the glass. Take a good long whiff of it. You want |
| And whether art or science, wine tasting and wine | | | | to really take it in! |
| tasters can always use a few tried and true tips | | | | 4. Now is the time for the all important step. With |
| so the next tasting experience is the best ever. | | | | your nose way down into the glass, inhale deeply |
| Learning a bit more about the whole thing can | | | | through your nose. What so you smell now? |
| deepen your appreciation for both wines and | | | | Perhaps oak, berry, flowers, vanilla or grass? A |
| winemakers. So when you go wine tasting, make | | | | wine's aroma is a perfect indicator of its quality |
| sure you engage all of your senses: Look at the | | | | and unique characteristics. |
| wine, smell the aromas, taste the grapes - start | | | | 5. Finally, take the all important first taste. Start |
| with the basics and expand from there. You'll be | | | | with just a small sip and then let it roll around |
| tasting like the pros in short order! | | | | your tongue. After gathering your initial impression |
| Here are some of the basics of Wine Tasting: | | | | of the wine, allow a little breath of air in through |
| 1. Pour a bit of wine into a suitable wine glass - | | | | your lips. Let the wine mingle with the air. What |
| not a cup or a plastic container. Glass is the best | | | | does this do? It allows you to taste flavors more |
| for wine. Take a good look at the wine. If it's a | | | | fully. Reds will often have berry, woody and bell |
| red, is the color maroon, purple, ruby, garnet, red | | | | pepper tastes. White wines will often have apple, |
| or brownish? If it's a white, is it clear, straw-like, | | | | floral or citrus flavors. |
| golden, light green, pale yellow or brown in | | | | 6. Then there's the Finish - This is how long the |
| appearance? Take notice of the color. | | | | flavor lasts after it is swallowed. If it lasted |
| 2. Now for the wine's opacity. Does it look clear, | | | | several seconds, it was probably a big red. If not, |
| cloudy, transparent or opaque? Tilt your glass just | | | | it may have been a light white, but not |
| a little and give the wine a little swirl. Be sure to | | | | necessarily. Wine is very complex. |
| notice the color and clarity after you swirl. Do you | | | | So, that it - the wine tasting process, from start |
| see any sediment or bits of cork? A big, thick red | | | | to finish! |