Smelling
and Initial Tasting
Step
1
Bring the glass down
to a normal level and, while
holding the stem, swirl
the glass rapidly. This
will increase the surface
area of the wine by allowing
it to move up the sides
of the glass. This also
helps to release the volatile
chemicals of the wine into
the air.
Step
2
Stop swirling. Insert your
nose into the glass and
inhale by taking quick,
full sniffs. Some people
prefer to take short sniffs,
some prefer to just stick
their nose in and leave
it there for a while. Determine
any off-odors, identify
any grape aroma and rank
the strength of the aroma.
Step
3
Analyze the aroma further.
Try to detect the smell
of fruity or floral notes.
Decide what they remind
you of if possible. Next,
note the presence of spices,
such as pepper, anise, cinnamon,
vanilla, tea or possibly
nuts. Finally, note the
presence of other aromas,
such as cedar, oak, dust,
moist earth, herbs, chocolate,
tobacco, toastiness, smoke,
tar, mushrooms, red meat,
grass, hay, or asparagus.
Step
4
Sip a small amount of wine
and move it over your entire
tongue so that all your
taste buds come in contact
with it. The trick to tasting
wine is to allow the aromas
of the wine to enter your
nasal passageway at the
back of your throat. Some
people pucker their lips
and suck in a small amount
of air through the wine.
Others find it easier to
chew the wine as if it were
food. Both of these methods
will force the aromas of
the wine through the nasal
passage and will increase
your experience of the wine.
Step
5
Note how long the flavors
remain in your mouth after
you've swallowed the wine.
This is called length. Some
wines can have up to one
minute of length. Also be
aware of any overbearing
presence of alcohol. A wine
should have enough balance
that you're barely aware
of the alcohol in it.
Judging
Step
1
Look for a very light shade
of straw-toned color in
white wines such as chardonnay
and white Riesling. For
semillon and sauvignon blanc,
look for a more definite
yellow color. For sweeter
wines, look for a more golden
color.
Step
2
Note colors of red wines
range from pink to different
tones of purple. Rosés
are usually medium pink.
A brown tinge in a rosé
is usually not desirable.
Red wines range from "medium
red" to "high
red." A purple could
indicate a young wine or
a particular variety of
grape.
Step
3
Check for clarity of the
wine. Notice if the wine
is clear and free of suspended
material - this is termed
a brilliant wine. Some descriptions
to use include brilliant,
clear, dull, and cloudy.
Dull indicates haziness,
and cloudy indicates heavy
amounts of suspended material.
Step
4
As a beginner, focus on
unwanted smells such as
yeast, wood, mold, sulfur
dioxide, oxidation (brackishness),
acetic acid (vinegar) and
hydrogen sulfide (rotten
egg).
Step
5
Taste for sweetness or dryness.
An acid bite indicates the
vitality of the wine. Taste
for excessive tannins (bitter
and rough)and for vinegar
flavor, which is usually
not desirable.
Step
6
Note boldness, fullness
and richness while tasting.
These tend to indicate a
wine with good body.
|
