Wine Tasting Tips

There is more to wine tasting than just swishing around a small amount of wine in a glass and sipping it. You need to engage your sense of smell and sight to fully judge the body and flavor of wine.

Bob Bolden, proprietor of WineStyles in Omaha, Neb., recommends grouping wines into three distinct styles to demystify the process. That, he says, will open a whole new world to people.

The Eyes Have It The wine tasting experience begins with a clear, clean glass. After pouring an inch or less into the glass, hold it up to bright light or against a white background - a napkin perhaps - to get a look at the wine's depth of color and clarity. Color of the wine helps determine the age of the wine. Red wines lose color as they age, while white wines darken with age. Older wines can show a hint of tawny brown around the rim, and young red wines reflect a burgundy color. Wine colors range from ruby red to brick red-brown to pale yellow-green. Keep in mind the color of wine should never be hazy but clear and intense. Discerning the color of wine is an important first step in wine tasting.

Your sense of smell is a major player in the tasting process. Most of wine's charm comes from its smell. The nose knows if a wine is pleasing and can sense hints of berries, vanilla, peaches, or other unique aromas.

Taking the Tasting Plunge
Now that you've given the wine a piercing look and a sniff, it's time for the taste test. Wine is meant to be sipped, not gulped, so to fully appreciate its body, let the wine slide across your tongue from side to side and front to back. You'll get an immediate feel for the sweetness and acidity of the wine.

Swallowing the small amount completes the wine tasting process. This will let you note any lingering aftertaste. If testing a number of wines, you'll want to rinse your palate with water between tastings. A fine wine should be pleasing to smell and taste and be smooth and satisfying either alone or with a meal.

The importance of proper wine storage can't be discounted as part of wine tasting. An improperly stored wine will not hold its bold flavor. Adding a wine rack or wine cabinet to your home will help ensure your wine will age to perfection, making wine tasting an enjoyable experience.

Now that you're fully armed with wine tasting information, uncork a bottle, sit back, and relax. Taste as many wines as possible and you'll discover one that's just right for you. Fill your wine rack and enjoy.