Tasting Wine Like a PRO: 4 Easy Steps

You picked ME to taste the wine?!?!?

Time and time again when dining out, I see a look of fear, embarrassment, and intimidation the moment a server or sommelier bestows the distinct honor of "tasting" the wine upon a lucky member of the table.  Fling the fright!  Read these four easy steps and then step up to the plate next time you hear: “who is tasting the wine this evening?"

 

Step 1:  Take a look at the wine. Pick up the glass by its stem (never by the bowl) and inspect the color.  Older red wines will be orangey while younger wines will be more deep purple or ruby colored.  I like to lean the glass slightly against the white tablecloth or napkin so that the true color of the wine can be inspected.  Generally for red wines, the lighter the color, the lighter the body of the wine...the more intense the color, the more full bodied the wine.

 

Step 2: Swirl your glass. You can do so either in the air or on the table…just pretend as if you're tracing imaginary circles with the base of your glass. Why swirl?  Because it helps the wine aerate and release its aroma or bouquet.  

Step 3:  Smell the bouquet.  After swirling, don’t be shy and dip your nose as deep into the glass as you can.  I close my eyes as I find it to help fine tune and accentuate my olfactory perception of the wine…take a big sniff and concentrate on the aromas…what does it remind you of?  There is no wrong answer!  However, if you smell wet cardboard, rot, or intense cork, be alert…the wine may have a defect. 

Step 3: Sip and savour.  This is the fun part.  You’ve seen, swirled and smelled…now purse your lips, take a small sip of the wine, and let it linger for awhile in your mouth.  Swish it around and enjoy.


Step 5: Summarize.  How does the wine taste? Big and jammy or light and dense? How long did the wine taste stay in your mouth (this is called the “finish”).  Personally speaking, the longer the finish, the better I enjoy the wine. 

The most important tip for tasting?  Remember that the point of the "tasting" ritual at a restaurant is to determine whether the wine has a defect NOT to give your opinion on whether or not you like the taste!

 

Got any tips of your own or any amusing wine "tasting" moments?  Share them with me!  

CHEERS!