When attending a wine tasting, it’s easy to make a few blunders. After all, wine tasting can be intimidating for those who don’t know much about wine. However, a few things set the novices apart from the experts.
These mistakes come from ignorance. Still, if you pay attention to details and keep these don’ts in mind, you’ll fair well at any wine-tasting event. Read to learn the five things you should not do while wine-tasting at the best wineries in Napa.
Don’t Wear Fragrance
Not only does this interfere with the wine’s aroma. The same goes for perfume, cologne, and scented lotion. Wine tastings are intimate affairs; they require that all participants be able to fully experience the aromas of each wine without being distracted by another person’s scent or body odor.
Don’t Drink with an Empty Stomach
Wine tastings are an exciting, fun way to spend time with friends and family. But if you drink a glass of wine without eating something first, you’ll be left feeling lightheaded, bloated, and dehydrated. Not only that, but you’ll miss out on some of the subtle flavors in your drink!
Before heading out for tasting, you should eat a good meal with some protein (chicken, beef, fish), vegetables (spinach, broccoli), and whole grains(rice, corn).
Don’t be a Fashion Disaster
You might be tempted to wear your most formal outfit, but that’s not what wine tastings are about. Wine tastings are a chance to be yourself, relax, and enjoy great wine with friends. Make sure you’re comfortable!
You’ll be standing for hours, and if you wear uncomfortable shoes, you’ll regret it. The last thing you want is hobbling around in high heels or wedges that are too tight- wear flats or sneakers. Wear loose-fitting pants or a dress that at least has pockets, so you can easily stash your phone and wallet.
Don’t Spit
Spitting is unsanitary and offensive. If you don’t feel like finishing a glass or two of wine, don’t drink any more than that in one sitting. Most people will take the time to savor each sip and want to do so without staining their clothes or ruining their breath.
If you don’t like the taste of a wine, try swirling it around in your mouth before swallowing it to enjoy the full flavor.
Don’t be Pretentious
Don’t be afraid to ask questions or admit that something isn’t your cup of tea. Most people hosting a tasting will be happy to help guide you through the process and ensure their guests have an enjoyable time at the event.
It doesn’t hurt to ask, even if they aren’t offering guidance! If someone else at the table seems to know what they are doing (and there almost always will be), then feel free to ask them for advice on how best to approach each glass.
Wine Tasting Steps
The wine-tasting process is the cornerstone of any good wine drinker. Here are win tasting steps:
Look at the Wine
It’s important to note the color, clarity, opacity, viscosity, and sediment present. These factors will give you an idea of the process of winemaking and age.
Swirl the Wine
Switch your glass clockwise to release some oxygen into the liquid and aerates it slightly before tasting. It helps the wine get its flavor and aromas.
Smell the Wine
Now bring it up to your nose (not your lips!) and start smelling. It’s important not to overdo it on this step because too much sniffing can lead to headaches and other problems like dizziness or nausea.
Try not to put too much effort into smelling every little detail about each particular sample before moving on! Don’t worry if something doesn’t seem right at first—you’ll learn more later when they start mixing various tastes.
If you smell vinegar or nail polish, it means the wine is overexposed to oxygen or is” tainted” also, if you get a smell of burnt matches, it means the wine has a lot of Sulphur dioxide.
There are three aromas:
- The primary aroma comes from the grapes themselves. If you see a lot of fruitiness in the wine, that’s a good sign that it’s rich in primary aromas.
- Secondary aromas. These are things like yeasty or biscuit notes, which come from the winemaking process
- The tertiary aroma comes from age—the longer a wine ages, the more its flavor profile will become complex. It includes smells like vanilla, coconut, smoke, or toffee in older wines.
Taste the Wine
It involves swirling it around in your mouth and swallowing it. Ideally, you should get some of the fragrance and flavor on your tongue. It’s also worth chewing a little bit of the wine; this will help you get an accurate impression of what it tastes like.
Once you’ve done that, savor the wine for a few seconds before swallowing it. It allows you to appreciate all of its elements and ensure no unpleasant flavors or aromas exist.
You should consider the scents as well as the flavor. The scent of wine can help you determine whether or not you will like it before you even take a sip, so paying attention is essential. Some wines have more of an alcohol-based scent, while others will have more of a fruity or even berry scent.
Savor the Wine
When tasting wine, it’s essential to relax and savor the experience. A good wine will have a rich, complex aroma you can enjoy before even taking a sip. After you take your first sip, taste the flavors on your tongue and note how they develop as you swallow.
If you want to get something out of a wine tasting, you must do a little work when you’re there. You can’t just float from table to table and taste a sample of everything. You’ve got to sit down and get involved with the flavors that you find interesting. Don’t judge them against one another—all wines are delicious in their way, and as long as everyone stays classy, you will all drink happily together.
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