At Cellar Beast Winehouse, it's not just about serving wine – we want to invite you into the experience. Wine tasting is an art where tradition and passion blend, and it's always our aim to educate and raise your experience with every glass you have. Be it for a novice in wine or any other enthusiastic wino, learn how to make that glass count when you follow steps in tasting each sip. Eager to gain more in-depth knowledge about wines? Let it begin!
#1 SEE: First Things First When Tasting
Wine appreciation starts with vision. First of all, make sure you will hold the glass by the stem rather than on its body so that you don't tamper with temperature and, hence, the taste itself. Now, swing it against a lighted background or another white background around you. View the color-what do you see?
The color will say so much about the age and its depth. White wines darken with age, while red wines fade over time. Another beautiful visual treat would be the clarity of sparkling wines. The appearance of the wine may be able to provide some hints on the wine's age or clarity. It could either be clear or clouded. This could show how the wine was made and give some feeling of its age.
#2. SWIRL: Release the Wine's Aromas
Swirling wine isn't just show-off behavior-it's actually a crucial part of the tasting process. When you swirl wine around, it breaks up the surface tension and then unleashes all those aromas so vital in understanding wine.
Aroma plays a huge role in taste, so let the wine breathe for a second. Now you will be able to detect those subtle scents which would have been caught in the glass. Also, when you're swirling, pay attention to the way the aromas change and develop; this will give you an idea about how complex the wine is.
#3. SMELL: Dive Into the Aromatic World of Wine
Be not shy. Stick your nose deep into the glass! The smells you perceive are very often more important than the taste itself, since so much of what we perceive as flavor comes from smell.
Take a deep breath. What do you smell? For whites, you may get scents of fresh citrus, floral, or nuts. Reds might offer fruity smells, like raspberries, plums, or even earthy notes of mushrooms or leather. The trick here is to pick up the basic aromas first and then dig deeper. Is the citrus more fruity, like fresh lime, or more complex, like an orange? The deeper you go in the aromas, the more layers will reveal themselves.
#4. SIP: Understand the Body and Texture
Now that your senses are set, it's time for that first sip! When tasting wine, focus on ABT-Acid, Body, and Tannin.
- Acidity: Does it make your mouth water? High acid wines are generally crisp and refreshing.
- Body: Is it watery or syrupy? The body denotes the weight and texture.
- Tannins: Do your teeth dry out in your mouth? Tannins are common in red wines, adding bitterness and structure.
Think of how all these combine to give you a general idea of the style of the wine. You'll find the mouthfeel also gives you a clue about age and grape variety, too.
#5. SAVOR: Reflect on the Flavors and Finish
Finally, actually savor the wine. What flavors come to mind as you sit back and reflect on the sip? Similar to what you smelled, or a surprise? Does the wine taste balanced, or does one of its characteristics stick out too much?
Pay attention to the finish, too, which is the aftertaste that lingers long after you swallowed. Generally, the longer and more complex the finish, the better the wine quality. Did the wine change in your mouth, or was the beginning, middle, and end the same?
It's not about appreciating the wine but about the experience of it. Sip on it slowly and let the layers unfold as you delve deep into the world of wine.
Resources for Enhancing Your Wine Knowledge:
- Wine and Food Pairing Guide: Learn how to pair up your favorite dishes with wine.
- Get to Know the Best Carmenere from Various Wine Regions: All about the full-bodied varietal.
- Wine and Cheese Pairing Essentials: Bring the next wine tasting to new dimensions with the ultimate in cheesy greatness.
- Design Your Own Wine Labels: Unleash your inner creativity and design your very own wine label.
Explore Our Wines
About the Author
Aaron Gratch, , Winemaker and Andreas Tasting Room Manager at Cellar Beast Winehouse, combines a deep, rich legacy of Italian winemaking tradition along with high-tech abilities acquired while gaining a certified Level III Sommelier from the Wine School of Philadelphia. Thus far, Aaron's tastings have provided an expansive yet approachable introduction to the world of wines via his deep knowledge of wine varietals, terroir, and global wine regions.
Specializing in French wines and low-intervention winemaking, Aaron has managed to marry tradition with the latest techniques to bring in unique vintages that best describe the quality commitment of Cellar Beast's. From enthusiast to passionate wine educator, he's fantastic at taking the mystery out of wine tasting so all could smell, taste, and pair like a pro.
Be prepared to get an overview from Aaron about wine-tasting essentials and how his expertise can make each glass a memorable experience.
