The art of wine tasting can perfected without even having to leave your couch. While we’d of course prefer to be in the vineyards of Chianti, sometimes opening a nice bottle while lounging at home is just as lovely. Master the technique of tasting one sip at a time, and finish with a Blind Tasting challenge at the end!
SIGHT
Pour a quarter of your glass with wine, making sure to hold the glass by the stem rather than the bowl. This prevents the heat from your hands from altering the wine’s temperature and affecting its flavor.
As you let the wine breathe, tilt your glass at a 40-degree angle and observe. What colors do you see— rosso or bianco? Is the wine clear or cloudy? Check the viscosity by swirling the glass; do long, slow-moving legs form along the sides? These visual cues offer insight into the wine’s age, alcohol content, and quality.
Note: Red wines often develop natural sediment over time. This occurs due to polymerization, a process where pigment compounds and tannins bind together and settle at the bottom of the bottle or glass. It’s completely normal and can even be a sign of a well-aged wine.
NOSE
Before taking your first sip, take a moment to appreciate the aromas. Smell the wine right after pouring, then swirl the glass and sniff again. Swirling increases the wine’s surface area, releasing aromatic compounds and allowing oxygen to help open up its bouquet.
What aromas do you notice? Fruity, spicy, oaky, or earthy notes? Each scent gives you clues of the grape variety, terroir, and aging process.
Pro Tip: If something smells off—like musty, damp cardboard—it could be a sign that the wine is corked.
PALATE
Now, for the best part—tasting!
Take a sip and let the wine coat your mouth. Roll it over your tongue to expose it to all your taste buds, analyzing the levels of sweetness, acidity, and tannins. What flavors emerge? Do you detect dark berries, citrus, cracked pepper, vanilla, or even leather?
For a deeper sensory experience, try aspirating the wine:
Purse your lips as if you’re about to whistle, take in a small slurp of air, and exhale through your nose. This technique enhances aromatics and helps you pick up more nuanced flavors.
Finally, pay attention to the finish. How long do the flavors linger after swallowing? A lingering aftertaste of a minute or longer is often a sign of a well-rounded wine.
Most importantly—ti piace? (Do you like it?)
Let’s put your skills to the test with this Sommelier’s Challenge! Print this chart, grab a bottle, and see how much you can identify based on sight, aroma, and taste!
For an added challenge, wrap the bottle in a brown bag to keep the label hidden. Pour yourself a generous glass and use the sheet to evaluate what type of wine you’re sipping on!
