| If you are curious about wine, going to an event | | | | Study the wine in your glass, sniff it, swirl it a bit |
| can be an exciting way to learn and there is no | | | | then take some into your mouth. Simple. |
| doubt that you will have a great time. But few | | | | Understanding the nose by smelling it will give you |
| newcomers actually go because it can be daunting | | | | much more knowledge of what you're drinking. |
| as newbies don't typically know what to expect. | | | | There are many aromas to a varietal and taking |
| While there aren't many mysteries you can do | | | | the time to sniff out the fruit or wood or what |
| yourself a favor to remember a few basics about | | | | have you will help you understand the profile of a |
| wine tasting. | | | | grape. After sniffing the wine, take it in, think |
| Number one: women get the first taste. Sorry, it's | | | | about what you are smelling and try to define the |
| just polite. You might find complimentary bottled | | | | characteristics in the glass. |
| water at your disposal to cleanse your palate | | | | The grand finale is to taste the wine. Yum. The |
| between tasting, if you want to choke down your | | | | taste buds on your tongue will find the qualities of |
| anger. When served, take the glass by the stem. | | | | the wine with ease. Is it bitter? Sweet? Swish it |
| Grabbing the bulb warms the wine. Typically there | | | | around to open it up more. Tasting it this way will |
| are snacks, maybe crackers or cheese to | | | | expose you to even more aromas. Allow the |
| compliment the wine and to act as a palate | | | | flavors time to unfold and fill your mouth. Once |
| cleanser between each pour. | | | | you've done that, you can start to pick out the |
| Noting the color of the wine in your glass may | | | | flavors. Spitting is the preferred method when |
| impart some knowledge about what your drinking. | | | | tasting a flight of wines but I prefer to swallow. |
| The glasses are made clear so you can note the | | | | Whatever you choose, what is left on your |
| visible structure of the wine, such as viscosity, | | | | tongue is the finish and from that you should be |
| visible sediment, deepness of color. There should | | | | able to discern even more flavors. |
| be a clean white tablecloth. Never judge a wine by | | | | For a beginner, you should always learn as much |
| its name as many varietals differ depending on | | | | as you can about the many different flavors and |
| the region they were grown. | | | | varieties of wine. From these basics, you'll have a |
| Learn about tasting by watching others. See them | | | | better understanding of what you should look for |
| swirl their glass before tasting. It might look | | | | in both taste and flavor. Even though you may a |
| pretentious, but the act of swirling opens the wine | | | | beginner, you should never pass up an opportunity |
| and exposes aromas. Wines age in the bottles | | | | to go and learn. You'll find a great experience |
| over time and can settle in the bottle so swirling | | | | waiting for you and you'll get to experience wines |
| will bring them back to life and release their | | | | that you may have never heard of before. |
| flavors. | | | | |