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