There's something irresistible about swirling a glass of wine, inhaling its delicate bouquet, and tasting its complicated flavors. In a world full of delicious things to eat, learning how to taste wine is a trip into a world of sensations like no other.
The Fundamentals of Wine Tasting
Aroma
Aroma, which is also called the "nose" of the wine, is what you smell first when you put the glass to your nose. This step is important because it gets your taste buds ready for the next flavors. Aroma is a broad term that covers a wide range of smells, from fruity and floral to earthy and spicy. A well-trained nose can pick up on these subtle smells, which reveal something about the wine's personality.
Flavor
When you take your first sip of wine, the flavors hit your taste buds. These tastes can be the same as or different from the smells that came before. The unique flavor of a wine comes from how the smell and taste work together. The taste part includes the main tastes—sweet, sour, and bitter—as well as the more complex flavor compounds that come out as you sip the wine.
Mouthfeel
Besides taste and smell, the way something feels in your mouth adds another layer of depth. This includes the texture, body, and shape of the wine. The general feel is affected by things like tannins (which make the wine dry and astringent), acidity (which makes the wine taste fresh), and body (which can range from light to full). Taste and mouthfeel work together to make a full taste experience.
Where Do Wine Flavors Come From
Wine flavors are often categorized into three main groups: primary, secondary, and tertiary.
Primary: Derived from Grapes
The grape variety itself gives the grape its main tastes. These are the main flavors that each grape gives off, like the bright citrus notes of Chardonnay, the explosion of red fruit flavors in Pinot Noir, or the strong berry flavors in Cabernet Sauvignon.
Secondary: Result of Fermentation and Aging
As the grape juice ferments, new tastes start to come out. Malolactic fermentation is one reason why some Chardonnays taste sweet and buttery. Oak aging adds flavors like vanilla, spices, and sometimes even a bit of smoke.
Tertiary: Evolving Through Bottle Aging
Ageing in the bottle causes changes to happen to wines over time. Tertiary flavors come out as the wine mixes with air and all of its parts work together. Some of these tastes, like leather, tobacco, and dried fruits, show how the wine has changed over time.
What Does Red Wine Taste Like?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon, which is often called the "King of Reds," stands out with its full body and elegant structure. This variety has a deep red color and smells of blackcurrant, plum, and sometimes herbs. Tannins are important because they give the wine a hard grip on the palate. The layers of oak aging add vanilla, cedar, and even a touch of tobacco flavors. The thing that keeps people coming back to Cabernet Sauvignon is that it ages well and becomes a very complex wine over time.
Merlot
Merlot is known for being smooth and easy to drink. It has a velvety texture and luscious fruit tastes. Merlot is a softer alternative to Cabernet Sauvignon. Its taste is often full of ripe cherries, plums, and red berries. It usually has softer tannins, which makes it easy to drink even when it's young. Merlot is a versatile wine that goes well with many different foods, from grilled meats to pasta.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is known for its grace and finesse, and it is often called the "heartbreak grape" because it is hard to grow. Compared to other reds, Pinot Noir has a lighter color and body. Red fruit flavors like strawberries, raspberries, and cherries dance on the tongue. Its velvety feel and well-balanced acidity make it a smooth and appealing wine. Pinot Noir's ability to show off its terroir makes it a fascinating wine to learn more about and a favorite among wine lovers.
Zinfandel
With its strong fruitiness and peppery undertones, Zinfandel is a bold and flavorful wine that takes you on a trip. This variety usually tastes like blackberries, raspberries, and jam, with a hint of spice that can be anything from black pepper to baking spices. Some versions of Zinfandel have a bit of sweetness that balances out its bold flavor. This creates a flavor that is both strong and inviting.
Syrah/Shiraz
Syrah, which is also called Shiraz, is a rich and spicy wine with a dark color and strong tastes. Black pepper, smoked meat, and sometimes even hints of chocolate often go with the tastes of blackberry, plum, and blueberry. Syrah has a velvety mouthfeel because of its tannic structure and big body. This is why it goes well with hearty foods and strong flavors.
Malbec
Malbec comes from France, but it really hits its stride in Argentina. It is known for having a strong and juicy flavor. Malbec has a fruity profile that is easy to get along with. It tastes like dark fruits like raspberry and plum, and it has hints of flowers. It is a flexible wine that goes well with many different kinds of food because of its soft tannins and bright acidity.
Sangiovese
Sangiovese is the base of many Italian wines and shows the heart and soul of Italy's winemaking culture. Sangiovese tastes like where it comes from, with notes of red cherry, tomato leaf, and sometimes leather or tobacco. This variety is often very acidic and has a medium body, which makes it a great match for Italian food.
Red Blends
Red mixes use different types of grapes to make wines with more depth and complexity. These wines have a variety of tastes, from dark berries to spices. They often take the best parts of each grape type and mix them together. Red blends give brewers a blank slate on which to make harmonious compositions that suit a wide range of tastes.
What Does White Wine Taste Like?
Chardonnay
Aromas: The scent of Chardonnay can be very different depending on how the wine was made. This variety has a wide range of flavors, from green apple and citrus in unoaked styles to buttered popcorn and vanilla in oaked styles.
Flavors: Chardonnay has a wide range of tastes, from crisp and lively to creamy and full. In some expressions, you can taste tropical fruits, melon, lemon, and even bits of nuttiness.
Texture: The texture of Chardonnay changes depending on how much oak it has. Chardonnays made without oak tend to be lighter and have more acidity, while those made with oak have a rounder, more voluptuous taste.
Sauvignon Blanc
Aromas: The smell of Sauvignon Blanc is unique, with notes of citrus (grapefruit, lime), green herbs, and sometimes a hint of grassiness.
Flavors: The taste matches the smells, with a burst of acidity that is both refreshing and energizing. Some types have a minerality that adds complexity. Flavors can range from tropical fruits to green apples.
Texture: Sauvignon Blanc is usually light and crisp, which makes it a great choice for sipping in warm weather.
Riesling
Aromas: Riesling often smells like flowers like jasmine and honeysuckle, as well as bright fruits like apricot and peach, and sometimes even like gasoline.
Flavors: On your tongue, you'll taste a dance between sweet and sour. Flavors can range from slightly sweet and fruity to intensely mineral and citrusy and dry.
Texture: The texture of Riesling can be anywhere from light and delicate to rich and velvety, giving you a wide range of tastes.
Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris
Aromas: Citrus, pear, and green apple smells are the most prominent, and there are often light flowery notes as well.
Flavors: The flavors match the smells, and the bright acidity adds to the lively and refreshing feel.
Texture: Pinot Grigio has a light, crisp texture that makes it a popular choice for drinking.
Gewürztraminer
Aromas: This variety is known for its strong smell of lychee, rose petals, and foreign spices like ginger and clove.
Flavors: The taste is similar to the smell, with a hint of sweetness that balances the spicy notes.
Texture: Gewürztraminer can have a slightly oily texture, which gives it a unique taste that lasts.
Viognier
Viognier is known for its smells of white flowers, apricots, and tropical fruits.
Flavors: These smells come through on the palate, sometimes with hints of honey and lemon.
Texture: Viognier often has a full, lush texture, which makes a wine that is both rich and expressive.
Chenin Blanc
Aromas: Green apple, pear, honey, quince, and even a hint of mineral can be smelled.
Flavors: There are layers of fruit on the mouth, sometimes with a touch of sweetness to balance out the acidity.
Texture: Chenin Blanc can be light and crisp or rich and thick, which shows how well it can adapt to different ways of making wine.
Common Wine Descriptors
Aromas and Flavors
Fruity Notes: Fruits are often used to describe wines. Fruits bring a wide range of smells and tastes to the glass, from the sharpness of lemons and the sweetness of berries to the tropical appeal of pineapples and mangoes.
Floral notes: The beauty of flowers is often brought out in wines. Look for words like roses, violets, lavender, and orange buds that talk about flowers. The wine's personality is made more elegant by these light scents.
Herbal and vegetable undertones: Adding a little bit of herbs or veggies to a wine can make it more interesting. These words describe the essence of the vineyard, whether it's the herbaceousness of thyme, the green bell pepper notes of Cabernet Sauvignon, or the earthy essence of mushrooms.
Spices and Oak: During fermentation and aging, many wines develop flavors that come from spices and oak. Some of these are vanilla, cinnamon, clove, and even smoky or toasty notes from oak barrels.
Texture and Structure
Body: The weight of a wine on the mouth is a good way to describe its body. Does it have a light, medium, or strong taste? This quality tells you about the wine's general presence and how it feels in your mouth.
Acidity: Acidity makes wine lively. It's what makes your mouth feel like it wants to water, and it can be low, medium, or high. Wines with more acidity go well with many different kinds of food.
Tannins: Tannins make the mouth feel dry, which is often the case with red wines. You could call them soft, velvety, or hard. Tannins help give wine body and the ability to age.
Sweetness is not the same as fruitiness. Instead, it refers to how much sugar is in the wine. Dry, off-dry, and sweet are common ways to describe a wine's mix between sugar and acidity.
How to Hone Your Wine Tasting Skills
Practice Regularly
Like any other skill, tasting wine gets better with practice. Give yourself time to try different wines and pay close attention to how they smell, taste, and feel in your mouth.
Keep a Tasting Journal
Keep a tasting notebook to write down what you think. Describe the smells and tastes you notice, how strong each one is, and how you feel about the wine as a whole.
Use Descriptive Language
As you try different wines, you can build a language of things you feel. Try out words that capture the spirit of what you're feeling, like "bright," "opulent," "spicy," and "velvety."
Engaging in Comparative Tastings
Choose a theme for your tastings, like wines from a certain area, grape type, or year. When you taste two wines next to each other, it's easier to see their differences and similarities.
Comparing tastes helps you notice small differences in smell, taste, and structure. Compare a white wine with a lot of acid with a red wine with more body to see how different they are.
Seeking Guidance from Experts and Resources
Take part in wine samples put on by experts or wine clubs in your area. These events give you the chance to learn new things, try out new drinks, and ask questions.
Learn more about wine by reading books, articles, and reliable websites. Your understanding will grow if you learn about different wine areas, grape varieties, and ways to make wine.
There are many online platforms where certified sommeliers teach wine tasting classes and webinars. These lessons teach about a wide range of things, from how to taste wine for the first time to more advanced wine knowledge.
Setting Ideal Tasting Conditions
Wines should be served at the right temperature. Most red wines taste better when they are slightly cooler than room temperature. Whites and rosés, on the other hand, should be chilled but not too cold.
Invest in good wine cups that are made for specific types of wine. The form of the glass can bring out the smells and tastes of the wine.
When tasting, get rid of things that might get in the way, like strong smells or a lot of noise. A bland setting lets you only think about the wine in your glass.
