Building a Foundation of Wine Knowledge.
Wine Tasting Etiqutte for Beginners.
Wineries almost always share a loose type of protocol. The man or woman behind the tasting counter will offer a list of wines to be sampled and then you choose a few to try. When making your choices try something new that looks interesting to you. Choose a wine because of its name or color or because it has a large amount of raspberries in it. The reasons matter not. Choose an old favorite if you like but I recommend lots of new tastes form a number of different wineries.
While your first choice of wine is being poured into a glass, your host will usually explain a bit about the wine. Usually basic knowledge of grapes and how it was aged, what foods the wine generally goes well with, as well as an explanation on what to expect from the glass of wine you are tasting. Some wines will start with a certain flavor on the first sip and as it caresses your tongue, will go through a few changes before you swallow it. This makes for an exciting experience. Don’t be alarmed by the small amount poured into your glass. Pace yourself and enjoy every sip. Hold the wine up to your eyes and look at the color. Take your time and place your nose to the rim of the glass. Be patient and take in the wonderful bouquets the wine offers. It won’t just smell like wine, there will be enticing aromas emanating from the glass. Smells of oak, cherries, spices, or even apples. Much is going on in the wine glass. Take a sip and swallow slowly. Pay attention to the body of the wine, which is the heaviness in your mouth. Is there too much body? Or maybe too little?
There is no right or wrong answer. If you don’t like the taste right away, wait a second then try another sip. You may be surprised by what you find. If you don’t like the wine, there will be a receptacle of some sort on the table to empty the remains of the glass. Also, a pitcher of water will be available to rinse the residue from the glass. Don’t worry about offending anyone; you will not enjoy every wine you try. Don’t be discouraged. Get right back on that horse. Eat one or two crackers being offered to cleanse your palate and try another wine.
A new wine in the glass brings another taste experience. Some wines maybe spicy, peppery, crisp, bold, dry, sweet, do somersaults in your mouth or lay there on you palette like an old worn toupee. The descriptors are not set in stone. I have been known to exclaim while sloshing a pinot noir across my arm; “This wine tastes of honey bees knees dipped in raspberry darkness and world peace!” If you feel the need, write down your favorites so you will be able to find them again. The tasting is not just to build your knowledge of wines, but also to extend your “grocery list” of favorite wines.
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