Fool-Proof Wine Tasting Tips
I’ve known Terricina St. Clair of the Tipsy Sommelier for many years now. There are a lot of reasons why I love her. The first is her beautiful smile and big, genuine laugh. I love to make her chuckle. The second reason I love Terricinia is because of her entrepreneurial spirit and hustle. We vibe and encourage each other in so many ways. Finally, I also love wine. Terricinia is an expert on loving wine. She brings her no-fuss wine tasting education classes and events to men and women like you and me. She strips away any pretentiousness of visiting a vineyard as she breaks down the basics of wine in a laid-back demeanor. She knows how to help a group of people have fun!
Terricinia thinks we should all be able to drink wine like a pro. Sometimes that means getting back to the basics. Scroll through this blog post to get wine tasting tips for anyone! I promise we kept it simple and sweet. These special wine tasting tips from the expert herself. Scroll through or save this post to read before you hit in the vineyards.
Six Simple Wine Tasting Tips
1. Begin with a clean palate. You shouldn’t have any lingering cigarette, chewing gum, or overpowering food flavor in your mouth. Make sure your glass is clean and clear.
2. Start light. If you’re tasting more than one wine (who isn’t?!), begin with the lightest wine. Pour 1-2 ounces in your glass for each tasting. End with the heaviest red.
3. Check the color. The color of wine can give you hints to the wine’s age and varietal. Hold your glass up to a light or white surface to observe the color and clarity of the wine.
4. Take a whiff. Swirl the wine around in your glass to kick up the scent of the wine, then put your nose into the glass to inhale the wine’s aromas. Notice the subtle aromatic nuances of the wine. These nuances hint to the varietal, oak influence and if the wine is pleasing to your palate, i.e. if you’ll dig it or not.
5. Take a sip. Here’s what you came for, right? Take a small sip of the wine. Then, swirl it around in your mouth. Take in a little air and slowly swallow the wine. Notice the flavor of the wine on your tongue. Pay attention to the wine’s acidity, weight, sweetness, and tannin influence. Also, notice how the wine finishes in your mouth by counting the seconds you taste the wine in your mouth after you swallow. The length of the finish hints at the quality of the wine.
6. Clean your palate! Get ready for the next one. If you start back at No. 1, you know you need a clean slate. Cleanse your palate by sipping water or eating a dry unsalted cracker. They’re included in the wine kit just in case!
Looking for more wine wanderlust?
I’ve been on a few adventures of the grape…
- Read my blog post featuring my favorite Virginia Wineries!
- Charlottesville is known as one of the best Virginia Wine destinations. Check out my guides to the city here and here.
- I also visited Sonoma Valley and visited the Kendall Jackson Estate. Read my travel guide to the San Francisco area here.
- I spent a day on Sunny Slope Farm in the Rockbridge/Harrisonburg area. Talk about beautiful. Read my foodie friendly recap here.
