Wine tasting tips for beginners

If you love wine and have never had the opportunity to go wine tasting, you are not alone. There are a number of people who are simply intimidated by the thought of being in a winery and tasting variety of wines. As an amateur, it could be difficult to be able to differentiate the wines and understand the aromas or the tastes of the same. However, wine lovers do not need to know everything about acids or vintage to enjoy a wine tasting. 

The first and most important rule to enjoying a wine tasting it to throw out all the rules of wine tasting. For each individual, the preference will be different. Wine drinkers have their own personal preferences and this could be a specific taste, aroma or quality of wine. 

Steps to enjoying a wine tasting even if you know nothing about wine.

Swirl and sniff:  These two words are heavily associated with wine. You need to swirl the wine in your glass and then lower your nose to the rim before you taste it. You need to do these steps before you taste the wine. The first is to always swirl the wine and smell it before taking a sip. When you swirl the wine, you will allow the oxygen to enter the wine and it will become more fragrant and when you smell it, the aroma will prime your palate for the flavors you can expect. The first step will prepare you for the next few steps. 

Swish and swallow: There is nothing like swish and spit! It is always swish and swallow. Most wineries will offer small portions for the purpose of tasting which means the chances of intoxication are very low. So in the next step, you take wine in your mouth and swish. Allow it to dance on your tongue as you register the flavors and then swallow it. If you hate it, you can simply pour the rest of the wine into the spittoon bucket. The Barolo wine guide will give you detailed insights into how you can develop a taste for wine and enjoy the entire experience. 

Ask questions:  Wine lovers know all about the grape blends and the popular wine regions. A lot of people do not know about the same and it is okay. When you are at a wine tasting session, you can ask as many questions as you feel like. You can learn about the vineyard names, the types of grapes and the flavors. You can feel free and ask for any type of clarification you need. Winemakers do love to talk about it and will be happy to share the same with you. You can also do a little research before the tasting and read about the regions and the types of grape varieties. Even Google could help you here.

Set a budget: Wine tasting is not a cheap experience. The cost of the entire experience will vary. It could be offered complimentary and could cost more than $50 per tasting. It is best to ask about the cost in advance and to clarify what is included in the cost. You need to gain information about the cost from different wineries and then choose the one that fits your budget. 

Take notes:  It is unrealistic and impossible to expect anyone to remember all the details about the wines they are introduced to in a wine tasting. You can feel free to ask for a pen and paper and take down notes. You can write anything that you find interesting and also include what you did not like about the wine. This will help you remember and identify the wines that you prefer. 

Do not consume only wine during the experience:  You should not consume wine solely during the tasting. Drink water between the tastings so as to clear your palate and to remain hydrated. You need to consume wines in small bites. Wineries also provide nuts and cheese boards but if they do not, you can ask for the same. This will keep you from feeling woozy and will also help highlight the flavor of wine. 

Keep these steps in mind when you head for your next wine tasting session. Remember that you will not be able to develop the taste for wine in one session, it will take time. Enjoy the experience and do not feel pressured to remember everything about every type of wine you are introduced to. Take it slow and let it grow on you.