| You are interested in learning about wine tasting. | | | | its flavors. You may want to introduce some air |
| You have many friends who have raved about | | | | into your mouth, to further bring out more aroma |
| different wines. Where do you start? Quite | | | | and flavor. You will want to note the acidity, which |
| simply, you start with the first glass. | | | | is indicated by the watering of your mouth when |
| Get a group of friends together and venture out | | | | acid is present. The tannin and body of the wine |
| wine tasting. Temecula Valley offers more than | | | | and the sweetness are the other qualities to note |
| 30 wineries. Many of them have award winning | | | | during the tasting. The tannin refers to the |
| wines. | | | | dryness or the drying sensation you taste. The |
| Wine tasting is an experience. Here are a few | | | | body is indicated by the weight of the wine on |
| easy steps to make enhance your wine tasting | | | | your palate. The sweetness of a wine is actually |
| adventure. | | | | controlled by the amounts of acid, alcohol and |
| Tasting wine is about knowing the wine. Keep in | | | | tannins present. Generally, the higher the alcohol, |
| mind that wine has a unique taste, and each wine | | | | the sweeter the wine will taste. Sweet wines can |
| has its very own characteristics. Wine can be | | | | taste fruity or not. Dry wines with low levels of |
| very rich and complex, and in order to fully | | | | sugar and no noticeable sweetness can still be |
| appreciate it, you need to taste it properly. The | | | | fruity. |
| true essence of wine tasting is to be able to | | | | Too much acid can make the wine taste sharp |
| identify the wine and get its true flavor. Every | | | | and or tart. Too little acid will make it flat and |
| wine is different in flavor. | | | | un-refreshing. |
| The basics of wine tasting are easy. You don't | | | | Too much alcohol will make it overly sweet, hot |
| need any formal training and anyone can enjoy | | | | and biting as it is swallowed. |
| the experience. Always make sure that you have | | | | Too many tannins will make your mouth pucker. |
| room temperature water, in order to cleanse | | | | Tannins give wine its body and generally soften as |
| your pallet in between tasting each wine. | | | | wine ages. |
| Wine should be served in a stem glass. This way, | | | | The body of your wine is how it feels in your |
| you can hold the glass by the stem, while wine | | | | mouth. Wine will be light, medium or full bodied. |
| tasting. You want to avoid holding the glass by | | | | Finally, you will want to evaluate the wines finish. |
| the palm of your hand. Oftentimes, this can warm | | | | This is the sensation left in your mouth after |
| up the wine and change the sample. | | | | swallowing. The longer the flavor lingers, the |
| Start by looking at the color of the wine. The | | | | longer the finish. |
| stemmed glasses should always be clean and | | | | Generally, wineries will have a receptacle available |
| clear, in order for you to see the wine and be | | | | for wine to be spit out into. You may want to |
| able to look at it objectively. While looking at the | | | | spit out wine because it is unpleasant, or because |
| wine, keep in mind that you will see many | | | | swallowing numerous wines may begin to cloud |
| different colors. Not all wines are truly red or | | | | your judgment. |
| white. Red isn't always a perfect red. Older reds | | | | Additional tips to keep in mind. Don't sample more |
| tend to be a little lighter in color. White wines may | | | | than six to eight glasses per tasting, as many |
| have a yellow, green or even brown tinge. While | | | | more will tire the palate and cause you to lose |
| looking at the color, try and have a white | | | | focus. Avoid wearing perfume, so that it does not |
| background. This allows you to see the true color. | | | | overpower the aromas of the wine. Try and go |
| If the wine is purplish in color, this indicates that | | | | tasting after eating something, this way you won't |
| the wine is young. If it is brownish in color, it | | | | get intoxicated, which could spoil the tasting |
| means that the wine is an older wine. | | | | experience for you. |
| Smelling the wine is the next step. Twirl the wine | | | | In no time, you will discover what you like and |
| around in the glass, to air it. Take a deep breath | | | | what you don't. It will take months, or maybe |
| through your nostril to smell the fragrance. By | | | | years to fully detect the subtle variation in all |
| swirling the wine, you are releasing many flavors. | | | | types of wine. For the average wine drinker, this |
| Keep in mind that many wines have been bottled | | | | information is a good place to start. |
| for many years. | | | | By experiencing wine tasting and exploring as |
| When you smell the wine, you may detect fruit, | | | | many wineries as you can, you will improve your |
| flower, spice, wood or any earth essence. There | | | | pallet. It won't be long before you will be able to |
| are many smells that you may detect. Keep an | | | | identify the many characteristics of wine that you |
| open mind and remember that no observation is | | | | taste. Most likely, you will have a favorite; |
| incorrect. | | | | however, don't limit yourself because of this. |
| The third step is to evaluate your wine's taste or | | | | Always try something new that you have not |
| palate. Sip a small amount of your wine. Do no | | | | tried...you never know, you may just discover a |
| swallow. Allow the wine to roll around inside your | | | | new wine that you may have passed up. |
| mouth for a few seconds, allowing you to detect | | | | |