The Beginner’s Guide to Wine Tasting

When attending a wine tasting, everyone wants to appear as if they know what they are doing. Looking like an amateur wine-drinker can feel embarrassing, despite “beginner” being a perfectly normal level of experience. After all, everyone starts somewhere.

However, if you want to feel a bit more informed and impress your friends the next time you visit a wine cellar, this beginner’s guide will give you all of the tricks, tips, and historical anecdotes that you will need in order to turn your amateur attitude into a professional’s perspective before you can say, “Wine and cheese!” 

The History of Wine 

One of the most important aspects of being knowledgeable about a topic is knowing its history. The history of wine is as rich as a Sauvignon Blanc, and it would take many pages to explain. However, there are a few interesting tidbits that you can learn today. 

Wine has taken over most of the world since its discovery. The very first winery that researchers know of exists in Romania. It is assumed to have been founded in 4100 B.C. and is the oldest known winery. Now, wine grapes are grown on six of the seven continents.

This explosion in popularity began the moment the drink was invented. Originally a ceremonial drink, and then later growing in familiarity as a more casually consumed beverage, this grape product continues to be revered to this day. 

Now that you have a small token of insight into the historical background of wine, let us move onto the topic of how to behave at a wine tasting.

Behavioral Boundaries 

When one attends a wine tasting, it is crucial to know some of the simple “do’s” and “don'ts” of the event. While remembering this advice may feel overwhelming at first, many of these tips make sense logically and will enhance your wine-tasting experience (as well as that of those around you). 

Our first “do” is palate cleansing. This is the act of neutralizing the flavors in your mouth so that you can ensure a full tasting experience. Between sips of different types of wine, be sure to ingest some water, and even a cracker or two (if provided) to keep your tastebuds open to new flavors. This will allow you to taste the flavors of the different wines more wholly. 

Next, do ask questions! While you may think that this act would reveal your status as an amateur wine-taster, it will actually prove that you feel comfortable and confident in inquiring as to the history or other details of your drink. Asking questions will also enrich your experience by allowing you to learn as you go. 

Lastly, do tip your pourer. While most wineries charge a tasting fee, your pourer will appreciate your polite gesture. If you have a great experience, leaving your pourer a tip is a great way to show your gratitude. 

Now it’s time for the “don’ts.” Don’t worry, it’s not as scary as it sounds!

Our first suggestion as to what not to do at your wine tasting is to wear perfume or cologne. Strong fragrances will interrupt your tasting experience, as well as interfering with that of those around you. The aroma of high-quality wine is the main aspect of the experience of consuming it, so you want to avoid doing anything to take away from that experience. 

The next “don’t” is a crucial tip, especially for those who are not extremely familiar with wine, or alcohol in general. It is this: do not drink too much too quickly. Wine tastings are meant to be enjoyable, and drinking more than you originally intended to will not only leave you with a forgetful night but also annoy those around you. Rather than focusing on the amount of wine you are consuming, utilize your five senses to really consider your drink. 

The last action that you will want to avoid is holding your glass by the cup. Instead, hold it by the stem. This will help keep your wine at the correct temperature, as well as keeping it viewable for those interested in the color and viscosity of the drink.

Where to Wine

After you have prepared yourself to behave properly at a wine tasting, you will want to find one to attend! There are multiple options for wine tasting venues. These include certain restaurants, wine cellars, wine tasting parties or festivals, vineyards, and even your own home for virtual wine tastings hosted online.

Simply search for a wine tasting event near you and enjoy! Remember to take along some friends (and a designated driver) to get the most out of your wine tasting experience. 

The Drink Itself

So, you are armed with the proper attitude and an event at which to taste some wine. What should you be looking for from the drink itself? There are three main properties of wine to look out for. They are what determine the wines’ tastes and make them different from each other. 

The first aspect of a wine that makes it unique is the type of grape that it was made from. This is one reason why asking questions is a great part of drinking wine! Either having the knowledge of where different wines come from or asking your pourer what kind of grapes make up your drink will inform you of what kind of taste you can expect. 

Another piece of the wine puzzle is the weather conditions under which the grapes you are consuming were grown. Different types of weather impact the fruit differently and result in many colors and flavors of wine. 

The last main property to look out for in your wine is when its grapes were harvested. The time at which the grapes composing your wine were picked deeply impacts the level of bitterness your drink will have, as well as its sweetness and sugar content. 

Who Can Taste?

You might be reading this and thinking, “That’s all fine and dandy, but am I even allowed to go to a wine tasting?” The answer is yes. If you are of legal drinking age and want to enjoy a fun experience, go to a wine tasting! Do not let your experience level or amount of knowledge stop you. Wine tastings are not just for experts of the drink. Wine tastings are for everyone! And how else should you be expected to learn than by studying different wines through tasting them? Never let someone else’s judgment prevent you from enjoying your wine tasting experience.

In Conclusion

At the end of the day, if you want to go to a wine tasting, it is great to be prepared. This will assist you in enjoying the experience more and allowing those around you to do the same.

However, there is no need to be a wine tasting expert in order to enjoy a night out with some friends tasting different styles of wine. Instead, simply follow our tips to avoid a serious blunder and just have fun! 

For more advice on how to enjoy drinking wine and other stories on the history of the beverage, visit our website again soon. And, as always, please drink responsibly.