| Going to a wine tasting can be a very fun and | | | | the wine is just one aspect you will want to look |
| enjoyable experience. However, many people do | | | | at when you attend a wine tasting. You will also |
| not attend for fear of not knowing exactly how | | | | want to smell the wine. After swirling, this is the |
| to act or what to do. There no great mystery to | | | | next step in the tasting process. You have |
| wine tastings, just a few things you should | | | | probably seen people smell wine before and |
| remember.As far as etiquette, usually the ladies | | | | wondered why they did it. Smell plays a very |
| are served before the gentlemen. Some wine | | | | important part in what we taste. Researchers |
| tastings offer you bottled water. Use this to rinse | | | | have determined that perhaps as much as 75% |
| out your mouth between tastings so your palate | | | | of what we taste is actually based on what we |
| is clean for the next wine. There is often unsalted | | | | smell first. You can smell your wine one of two |
| and unflavored crackers and bread to help palate | | | | ways: taking a small whiff to get an idea of how |
| cleansing as well. You should always handle the | | | | the wine smells, then a deeper whiff or take one |
| wine glass by the stem. This helps avoid heating | | | | deep whiff. After smelling the wine, take a minute |
| the wine with the warmth of your hands, thus | | | | to think about the smell. You do not want to |
| altering the taste. Avoid wearing strong perfumes | | | | immediately taste it after smelling but give |
| and colognes to a wine tasting. That may take | | | | yourself time to explore exactly what you |
| away from not only your smell, but also that of | | | | smelled.Finally, you will need to know is how to |
| the other guests. Also, avoid smoking, gum, and | | | | taste the wine properly. Your tongue has taste |
| mints before and during a wine tasting to be able | | | | buds in both the front and back. These taste |
| to enjoy the full flavor of the wine.You can tell a | | | | buds can detect bitter, salty, sweet, and sour |
| lot about a wine just by looking at its color. When | | | | flavors, but some are more sensitive than others |
| you attend a wine tasting, the glasses should | | | | are. There are three steps in tasting a wine: the |
| always be clear so you can get a good look at | | | | first impression, the taste, and the aftertaste. The |
| the wine. The tables may also be covered with | | | | first impression happens when you take your first |
| white tablecloths to help you see the wine's color | | | | drink and the wine actually hits your taste buds. It |
| clearly. Do not let the wine name full you. For | | | | should awaken your sense to the wine. After |
| example, white wines are not white in color. They | | | | taking the first drink, you should swish the wine |
| may range from yellow to green to brown. Red | | | | around your mouth for a few seconds to let all |
| wines range in color from pale red to a deep | | | | your taste buds discover the full flavor of the |
| brownish red and often become lighter with age. | | | | wine. Think about what the wine tastes like. Is it |
| Sometimes the color of a wine may indicate age | | | | light or heavy? Is the smooth or harsh? The |
| or flavor. You may be able to tell the age of a | | | | aftertaste is the sensation that remains in your |
| red wine by doing a rim test. Tilt the glass slightly | | | | mouth after swallowing the wine. How long did it |
| towards the rim of the wine glass and look at the | | | | last and was it pleasant?Before attending a wine |
| wine. If the color of the red wine is more of a | | | | tasting, it may help you feel more confident to |
| purple, it is usually a younger wine. If the color of | | | | read about the different types of wines. This will |
| the red wine is brown, it is an older wine.Another | | | | give you a better idea of what to look for as far |
| thing you may have seen people do before they | | | | as flavor and taste. Next time you are invited to |
| taste wine is swirl it slightly in the glass. This is to | | | | a wine tasting; do not be afraid to go. You may |
| help open up the wine's flavor. Remember that | | | | be missing a great experience!Jason Connors is a |
| the wine may have been in a bottle anywhere | | | | wine lover providing valuable tips and advice on |
| from six months to many, many years. When | | | | wine cellar design, wine making, and wine basics. |
| someone swirls a wine, it helps release the | | | | Read his recent report on "What To Look For in |
| flavors. Just like when you're cooking at home and | | | | a Wine Cooling System". |
| stir the food to help blend the flavors.The color of | | | | |