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How to Taste Wine
The five S’s of wine tasting is a straightforward approach that is easy to remember and can guide you on your first wine tasting.
- See: Look at the appearance of the wine.
- Swirl: Hold the glass by the stem and gently swirl the glass bowl to release the wine’s aromas.
- Sniff: Smell the wine and note what scents you can detect.
- Sip: Taste the wine and focus on the mouthfeel and factors such as acidity, tannins and flavors.
- Savor: Swallow and reflect on the experience, considering the flavors that linger in your mouth.
Wine Tasting Guide: Appearance
The color of a wine is one of the first things to consider.
Red wines usually range from pale ruby to deep plum shades, whereas white wines can vary from a pale straw to a deep gold. The sharpness of the wine’s hues can indicate the wine’s age; red wines tend to lighten and take on a brick-red hue with age, while white wines often darken and may turn amber or brown.
Observe the clarity of the wine, noting whether it is clear or hazy. A clear wine suggests quality filtration and winemaking techniques. However, in some instances, haziness could indicate a wine’s mature age or natural style.
Wine legs, or “tears,” refer to the streaks that trickle down the inside of the glass after swirling. How the legs form offers insights into the wine’s alcohol content and structure. If the wine has high levels of alcohol, the legs tend to trickle down slowly and are more pronounced. However, if the wine has low alcohol content, you’ll likely notice fewer appearing at a faster pace.
How to Taste Wine
Texture
As you take your first sip, gently let the wine coat your mouth, covering your entire palate. The first thing to observe is the weight and texture of the wine. If the wine is light-bodied, you’ll notice that its texture resembles water, while more full-bodied wines tend to establish a heavier presence in the mouth, similar to cream.
Sweetness and acidity
Take note of the sweetness; wines high in residual sugar feel syrupy in the mouth and produce a light tingle on the tip of your tongue. Wines high in acidity tend to cause a tingling sensation around your tongue but leave your mouth feeling refreshed and cleansed after swallowing. In comparison, wines with low acidity usually have a richer and smoother taste.
Tannins
A wine that is high in tannins will create an astringent sensation in the mouth, leaving it feeling very dry. However, low-tannin wines often allow fruity flavors to come through more, so the wine tastes juicier.
Alcohol content
You can get a sense of how much alcohol is in the wine through the initial taste. Wines with high alcohol content may produce a warming sensation in the back of your throat.
Flavors
Try to identify the primary flavors first. Does it taste fruity, floral, herbal or earthy? Then take your time and another sip, and delve a bit more. If you can taste fruit, what type of fruit can you taste—berries, cherries, apples, pears or more tropical kinds like mango and coconut? Try to be as specific as possible; do the wine flavors resemble jasmine, elderflower, thyme or wet stone?
AUTHOR
STEPHEN, SENIOR PERSONAL WINE ADVISOR
After 30+ years working in Michelin-starred restaurants with famous chefs in Manhattan, I found that I really do love wine—so for the last 10+ years, I’ve worked here, and every day is an adventure!
- WSET – Level 2 Wines & Spirits Certified
- Certified Restaurant Sommelier for 20+ years, achieving two James Beard awards
Favorite Wine: Brunello • Amarone • Barolo • Fine Rioja • Top-End Bordeaux
