| Going to a wine tasting can be a very fun and | | | | swirls a wine, it helps release the flavors. |
| enjoyable experience. However, many people | | | | Just like when you're cooking at home and |
| do not attend for fear of not knowing exactly | | | | stir the food to help blend the flavors. |
| how to act or what to do. There no great | | | | |
| mystery to wine tastings, just a few things | | | | The color of the wine is just one aspect you |
| you should remember. | | | | will want to look at when you attend a wine |
| | | | tasting. You will also want to smell the |
| As far as etiquette, usually the ladies are | | | | wine. After swirling, this is the next step |
| served before the gentlemen. Some wine | | | | in the tasting process. You have probably |
| tastings offer you bottled water. Use this | | | | seen people smell wine before and wondered |
| to rinse out your mouth between tastings so | | | | why they did it. Smell plays a very |
| your palate is clean for the next wine. | | | | important part in what we taste. Researchers |
| There is often unsalted and unflavored | | | | have determined that perhaps as much as 75% |
| crackers and bread to help palate cleansing | | | | of what we taste is actually based on what we |
| as well. You should always handle the wine | | | | smell first. You can smell your wine one of |
| glass by the stem. This helps avoid heating | | | | two ways: taking a small whiff to get an |
| the wine with the warmth of your hands, thus | | | | idea of how the wine smells, then a deeper |
| altering the taste. Avoid wearing strong | | | | whiff or take one deep whiff. After smelling |
| perfumes and colognes to a wine tasting. | | | | the wine, take a minute to think about the |
| That may take away from not only your smell, | | | | smell. You do not want to immediately taste |
| but also that of the other guests. Also, | | | | it after smelling but give yourself time to |
| avoid smoking, gum, and mints before and | | | | explore exactly what you smelled. |
| during a wine tasting to be able to enjoy the | | | | |
| full flavor of the wine. | | | | Finally, you will need to know is how to |
| | | | taste the wine properly. Your tongue has |
| You can tell a lot about a wine just by | | | | taste buds in both the front and back. These |
| looking at its color. When you attend a wine | | | | taste buds can detect bitter, salty, sweet, |
| tasting, the glasses should always be clear | | | | and sour flavors, but some are more sensitive |
| so you can get a good look at the wine. The | | | | than others are. There are three steps in |
| tables may also be covered with white | | | | tasting a wine: the first impression, the |
| tablecloths to help you see the wine's color | | | | taste, and the aftertaste. The first |
| clearly. Do not let the wine name full you. | | | | impression happens when you take your first |
| For example, white wines are not white in | | | | drink and the wine actually hits your taste |
| color. They may range from yellow to green | | | | buds. It should awaken your sense to the |
| to brown. Red wines range in color from pale | | | | wine. After taking the first drink, you |
| red to a deep brownish red and often become | | | | should swish the wine around your mouth for a |
| lighter with age. Sometimes the color of a | | | | few seconds to let all your taste buds |
| wine may indicate age or flavor. You may be | | | | discover the full flavor of the wine. Think |
| able to tell the age of a red wine by doing a | | | | about what the wine tastes like. Is it light |
| rim test. Tilt the glass slightly towards | | | | or heavy? Is the smooth or harsh? The |
| the rim of the wine glass and look at the | | | | aftertaste is the sensation that remains in |
| wine. If the color of the red wine is more | | | | your mouth after swallowing the wine. How |
| of a purple, it is usually a younger wine. | | | | long did it last and was it pleasant? |
| If the color of the red wine is brown, it is | | | | |
| an older wine. | | | | Before attending a wine tasting, it may help |
| | | | you feel more confident to read about the |
| Another thing you may have seen people do | | | | different types of wines. This will give you |
| before they taste wine is swirl it slightly | | | | a better idea of what to look for as far as |
| in the glass. This is to help open up the | | | | flavor and taste. Next time you are invited |
| wine's flavor. Remember that the wine may | | | | to a wine tasting; do not be afraid to go. |
| have been in a bottle anywhere from six | | | | You may be missing a great experience! |
| months to many, many years. When someone | | | | |