Wine Tasting for the Budding Connoisseur

Learning About the World of Wine is Fun and Easy!

Jul 13, 2009

Hosting a casual tasting is a perfect, cost-effective way to familiarize yourself with the basics of the wine-sphere - with no pressure!

It’s no secret that wine industry is receiving more exposure and gaining more interest than ever before – and quickly. Wine bars are popping up in downtown areas across North America, and the inventory in the grocery store wine aisle has increased exponentially practically overnight. It is a culture with countless intricacies, unspoken rules and processes: how to smell it, how to drink it, what to eat with it, what sort of glass to serve it in…the list could go on for miles. Understandably, for many people on the outside looking in, wine can be somewhat overwhelming and even a bit intimidating. However, the recent boom in the popularity of this luxurious libation is making the wine world more inclusive than it has ever been, so grab a glass and jump in the game!

Where to Start Learning About Wine

If you consider yourself to be in the beginning stages of your wine education, hosting a tasting with a group of friends is the perfect way to get your feet wet. For starters, choose a few of the most common varietals to taste, some reds (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel) and some whites (Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Grigio). Make sure each person has two or three glasses in front of them so they can compare the different wines side by side, and pour! If you really want to take it to the next level, give each person some paper and a writing utensil so you can all take and compare notes about what you find in each glass.

While tasting, concentrate your efforts on creating a connection between the taste of the wine and which type it is (i.e., which is the Sauv Blanc, which is the Riesling), not which specific fruit you taste or spice you smell – that will come later as you learn more and develop your palate. Also, be sure put all of your senses to use – a Pinot Noir tastes different than a Zinfandel, but it looks different, too!

Be sure to taste all the white wines before beginning to taste the red ones -- the tannins in the red will overwhelm your tastebuds and you won't be able to taste the intricacies of the whites. Try to taste them in order of light to heavy -- colour is a reasonable guideline here for both white and red. The lightest coloured wines are often the lightest-bodied. If you want more info, a cursory web search will guide you.

Where to Buy Wine

You can always shop for your wine at the grocery store – as previously mentioned, the selection is consistently expanding – but in going to a wine specialist like BevMo or Trader Joe’s you’ll more than likely come across someone who can recommend some great bottles for a great price.

Here are some other great varietals that you may be interested in trying out – and remember, an adventurous palate is key…you never know what you’ll find!

The copyright of the article Wine Tasting for the Budding Connoisseur in New World Wine is owned by Lauren Monahan. Permission to republish Wine Tasting for the Budding Connoisseur in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.