By Marc D.
Whether done to enhance your appreciation of wine, to impress your boss at a dinner party or to just not look like a fool if you ever visit a winery, there is much more to wine tasting than meets the eye… or palate in this case. This article is going to explore the art of wine tasting and some important factors to consider when trying wine.
The color of the wine is extremely important and tells a lot about it. From its color you can decipher things such as the types of grapes used, the fermentation process used and how long it was aged.
Once your glass is filled, you should look for certain characteristics to determine its quality. White wines will have a slightly greenish tint and should be bright. Be aware that if some drier white wines have sediments, it may be due to an inadequate aging process as that may be a sign of too much sugar in the wine. Rose wines should have an intense color and should never be pale. Red wines offer a lot of information through their color. A purplish red with touches of violet and plumb is a sign of a young wine. When a brick colored red takes the place of the violet tones, it is a sign that the wine is at least 3 years old. And finally, a rich and deep red color is a sign that it is a good quality aged wine.
Sound, believe it or not, is also a factor in wine tasting. For the experts, the sound the cork makes while being opened as well as the sound made when pouring a glass provides information about the wines viscosity and texture.
The smell is perhaps the most important sense in wine tasting. Wine has many aromatic substances that define its bouquet. The first of which are the grape varietals which can be discerned when first serving a glass and before swirling the wine. It is generally easier to tell the young wines as they will have hints of fruitier aromas. Once you swirl the wine, you will begin to smell any traits of the fermentation process. For example, a hint of the smell of the grape skin is a signal of an improper fermentation. And finally after letting the wine settle after swirling, you will begin to differentiate the smells associated with the aging process.
The final step in a wine tasting is of course to taste the wine. When tasting a wine it’s important for the wine to come in to contact with as many of the taste buds located on your tongue as possible. When you are tasting you will generally notice the following three characteristics to each wine:
- In the first 2 to 3 seconds, you’ll get a sense of the wine’s attack which will generally be dominated by the sweeter flavors.
- The wine’s evolution will take place between 5 and 10 seconds after you try the wine. In this stage, you will begin to taste the beginnings of some of the more acidic flavors.
- The wine’s final impression will be dominated by the acidic and more bitter flavors the wine will have to offer.
It’s also a great idea to oxygenate the wine as you are tasting it. By doing this, you will allow the flavor of the wine to reach the back of your mouth and enter the nasal cavity as well.
Marc D. has worked for various Fortune 500 companies, has started multiple entrepreneurial endeavors and has acquired various personal interests including content writing over the years. Please visit one of his latest interests in lawn care products where he provides information on lawn mower tires, lawn mower wheels and other types of related lawn care products.
Article Source: Marc D. == Understanding the Art of Wine Tasting
