The 5 S’s of Wine Tasting

1) See

Like a diamond, we’re looking at color and clarity when we look at our wines. You can tell a lot from the color. Tilt the wine in your glass to a 45 degree angle. If you are peering at a light yellow, almost sunshiny white, it’s probably a Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. If it’s more of a buttery, even brownish yellow, it could be a very oaky Chardonnay. It’s it a purple-y red wine, it’s likely Merlot, and if it’s a bright classic red, you might have a beautiful blend in your glass. 

Now, you probably know what wine you just poured, so you don’t need to see the color of it to know what you’re about to drink. But clarity is an important reason to really “see” your wine. Notice that tiny clear ring where the wine touches the glass? That’s called the lens. You want to make sure that is crystal clear. With the exception of really aged reds, a clear lens is important to the quality of a wine. If you see a murky lens or no lens at all, taste with caution. It might have gone bad.

2) Swirl

More than just something to do to keep you from making eye contact with other people at a party, swirling the wine in your glass actually aerates the wine. You’re letting more wine touch oxygen which dissipates the alcohol smell and enhances the flavor of the wine. The technical term for this is “volatizing the esters.”

3) Smell

Now that your esters are volatized, get your nose in there and give it a good sniff. No REALLY breathe in the aromas, the bouquet, the nose of the wine. 80% of taste is smell, so this process allows you prepare your tastebuds for the delicious flavors that are about to pour across them.

4) Sip

Okay, you’ve been patient enough. Sip that wine! Swishing it around in  your mouth just a little allows the wine to touch all the parts of your tongue. No. You don’t have to do this. But it is kinda fun to try.

5) Savor

I like this 5^th one… it really means drink more!

Shall I add a 6^th S? Salud!!

Visit my Traveling Vineyard site at http://www.travelingvineyard.com/guide/morethanatasting to browse our great selection of offerings, start an exciting new career, or contact me to book a tasting in your home and try before you buy!