Attending a wine tasting can be a bit intimidating if you have never participated in one. You might worry about knowing the names of popular wine regions or grape varieties. Will you be able to keep up with others who can rattle off their thoughts about tannins, acids, or vintage years? Set your worries aside! If you like wine, you should absolutely attend a wine tasting and develop your palate!
The first rule of wine tasting is to have fun. Remember that everyone’s wine tasting preferences are different, so it really doesn’t matter what the person next to you thinks of the wine. Do you like it? If so, it is a winner in your book! But if you want to be a little more prepared for the how-to of wine tasting, read on for a few tips!
Swirl and Sniff
Start by holding your glass by the stem to preserve temperature and view of the wines, then swirl the liquid gently. Oxygen enters the wine through the swirling action and makes the wine more fragrant. Your sense of smell plays a significant role in your sense of taste, so inhale the scent of the wine deeply after swirling the wine in your glass. Also, notice how the wine looks in your glass. The more the wine droplets stick to the side of your wine glass, the higher the alcohol content.
Swallow and Spit
Some wonder if it is acceptable to spit the wine out during a tasting. Spitting your wine out is perfectly acceptable and can help decrease the amount of alcohol you are consuming. However, many wineries serve minimal amounts of each wine, so this may not be an issue. As you sip, allow the wine to switch across your tongue and consider the taste.
Drink your Water!
It is a good idea to drink water to cleanse your palate and slow your consumption in between sips. Some wine tastings might provide crackers or small appetizers to aid palate cleansing as well.
Ask Questions!
It is common for a sommelier (a wine expert) or a pourer to forget that not everyone knows all of the jargon at a wine tasting. If you have a question, ask! You are there to learn more about wine, and others will appreciate your questions. If you have details on your winery or particular wines available at the tasting, you can do a little advanced research through a quick Google search as well.
Take Notes
You do not have to take notes, but it is perfectly acceptable to jot some things down if you wish. It might be nice to have a record of what you liked and did not enjoy. There is no formal way to take notes, so find your own method that will help you remember how each wine tastes.
Wine tasting allows you to experience new wines or give wines a second try. The small sips will enable you to try before committing to purchasing an entire bottle. So go to your wine tasting with an open mind and ready to have fun, and you will surely enjoy the process!
At Oak Hill Market, our team is here to help with suggestions, pairings, and anything else you care to know, whether you know your tannins and bouquets or just want a nice red or white wine. We also feature wine tastings from our local labels on Friday evenings throughout the year, so keep an eye on our events calendar for tasting information!
Sources:
https://www.theoakhillmarket.com/departments/wine-shop/