People have been enjoying wine tasting since ancient times, especially the French. However wine tasting methodology has only developed starting from the 14th century. What you’re interested in are the general characteristics of the wine. This article will help you do that.
Tip 1 Sight-seeing
Holding a clear glass with wine on a white background will help you identify a wine’s true color. This will usually clue you on the wine’s age. The color ranges between reddish brown, warm gold and bright ruby.
Heavy wines are deeper in color and serve an intense smell. Sweeter wines have thick streaks resembling tears down the inside of the glass when swirled. For white wines gain color when aging, while red wines lose color when aging.
Tip 2 Scent of a wine
The ideal glass description for wine smelling is a rim that bends inwards. Wider opening glasses are not preferred. Swirl the wine around the glass edge to enjoy the fullest of the different fragrances.
Scents actually vary from the top to the bottom of the glass. Lighter, floral and fruity scents rise to the top and the thicker, heavier smell drops to the bottom of a class. The total aromatic experience of the wine is called the bouquet.
Sparkling wine is not swirled as this increases the release of the bubbles, effectively ruining the wine.
Tip 3 Tongue in a glass
One enjoyable technique is to stay on the swirling theme and swirl away in your mouth so as to cover all your taste buds. Take a moment to enjoy the flavor before either swallowing or spitting out the wine.
In addition to the actual taste of the wine there is also an after taste, commonly known as a wine’s finish. This is usually characterized by length and strength.
Tip 4 You’re just a touchy guy
This part occurs when the wine is in your mouth. Some feel refreshing on the tongue, other wines can present themselves as velvety, flat or prickly.
Prickliness comes from tannins found in red wine and are used to keep it fresh. The younger the red wine the higher the tannin count.
Tip 5 Serving temperature
The temperature will greatly affect the way a wine behaves. Acidity and tannins are enhanced by a lower temperature while the aromatics are muted. Higher temperature enhancements are the other way around.
Tip 6 Vertical and horizontal tasting
This requires an extensive supply of vintages and wineries of the same wine type. Vertical tasting implies different vintages from the same wine type and the same winery. Naturally this emphasizes differences between vintages of the same wine type. Horizontal tasting means that all the wines are from the same vintage but from different wineries. An interesting idea that shows the differences in winery styles.
Tip 7 Blind tasting
Without having seen the label or bottle the taster is supposed to make an assessment, sometimes even from a black glass so as not to see the color of the wine. Subjectiveness is apparent if the taster knows about the geographical position or other characteristics.
These tips will ensure a fuller experience when drinking wine. You might even enjoy tasting wine more than drinking.
