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?