Tasting Red Wines And White Wines
Wine tasting is a popular activity among the casual wine drinker and oenophiles alike. But if you're new to wine tasting, there are some basic "rules" to follow. Properly tasting red wines and white wines can truly make you appreciate the work that was put into creating that bottle. Noticing different aromas, textures, and flavors can enhance your experience, allowing you to truly enjoy the wine.
Before you even begin to pour the wine, ensure that you have the correct wine glasses. Wide goblets are used because they help release aromatics in the wine, so don't be caught with a tumbler glass or a champagne flute! When pouring the wine, don't fill the glass up entirely. Instead, fill it about one-third of the way to leave room for swirling and to give the wine room to let aromas build. Before smelling or tasting comes looking. Look at the color of the wine. What color is it exactly? Don't just say "dark red." Is it more purple or maroon? It helps to hold a white piece of paper behind the glass. It's also good to compare wines side by side. Notice the difference between older and younger wines and different grape varietals. New red wines are often more purple than older ones. Some words to keep in mind are bright, dull, opaque, clear, and dense.
Next comes the smell. Swirl the glass for about ten to fifteen seconds to release the aromas. A tulip-shaped glass will help funnel the smells directly to your nose. Take a quick whiff to get a good first impression and then you can stick your nose right into the glass. Inhale deeply to truly get a good smell. Try to pick out all the different aromas you smell. At first, you'll be lucky if you can identify one smell, but with practice, you should be able to recognize most of the subtle aromas. Some key scents to look for are fruit/berries, citrus, vanilla, flowers, and oak.
Now that you have finally smelled the wine, you can begin to taste it. There are three phases to tasting wine: the attack phase, the evolution phase, and the finish. Take a sip and let the wine roll around in your mouth. The first phase is your first impression of the wine's taste, You should be noticing alcohol content, acidity, residual sugar, and tannin levels. These four components should be well-balanced and none should be too prominent. The components will give you the complexity and intensity of the wine. Is the red wine crisp or creamy, heavy, or light, sweet or dry?
The second phase is the mid-palate phase and it is here that you can begin to decipher flavors. If it is a red wine you may taste fruit, spices, or woody flavors. For white wines, the flavors may incorporate citrus fruits, flowers, or earthy tastes. The finish is how long the flavors last after you have swallowed the wine. Think about the aftertaste and if it makes you want another sip or not. Jotting down notes in a wine journal might be a beneficial idea. Write down all your impressions.
With practice, and a lot of bottles of wine, you'll be able to decipher the differences between red wines, white wines, and rose wines. Drink slowly and taste fully all that a good wine has to offer.
Before you even begin to pour the wine, ensure that you have the correct wine glasses. Wide goblets are used because they help release aromatics in the wine, so don't be caught with a tumbler glass or a champagne flute! When pouring the wine, don't fill the glass up entirely. Instead, fill it about one-third of the way to leave room for swirling and to give the wine room to let aromas build. Before smelling or tasting comes looking. Look at the color of the wine. What color is it exactly? Don't just say "dark red." Is it more purple or maroon? It helps to hold a white piece of paper behind the glass. It's also good to compare wines side by side. Notice the difference between older and younger wines and different grape varietals. New red wines are often more purple than older ones. Some words to keep in mind are bright, dull, opaque, clear, and dense.
Next comes the smell. Swirl the glass for about ten to fifteen seconds to release the aromas. A tulip-shaped glass will help funnel the smells directly to your nose. Take a quick whiff to get a good first impression and then you can stick your nose right into the glass. Inhale deeply to truly get a good smell. Try to pick out all the different aromas you smell. At first, you'll be lucky if you can identify one smell, but with practice, you should be able to recognize most of the subtle aromas. Some key scents to look for are fruit/berries, citrus, vanilla, flowers, and oak.
Now that you have finally smelled the wine, you can begin to taste it. There are three phases to tasting wine: the attack phase, the evolution phase, and the finish. Take a sip and let the wine roll around in your mouth. The first phase is your first impression of the wine's taste, You should be noticing alcohol content, acidity, residual sugar, and tannin levels. These four components should be well-balanced and none should be too prominent. The components will give you the complexity and intensity of the wine. Is the red wine crisp or creamy, heavy, or light, sweet or dry?
The second phase is the mid-palate phase and it is here that you can begin to decipher flavors. If it is a red wine you may taste fruit, spices, or woody flavors. For white wines, the flavors may incorporate citrus fruits, flowers, or earthy tastes. The finish is how long the flavors last after you have swallowed the wine. Think about the aftertaste and if it makes you want another sip or not. Jotting down notes in a wine journal might be a beneficial idea. Write down all your impressions.
With practice, and a lot of bottles of wine, you'll be able to decipher the differences between red wines, white wines, and rose wines. Drink slowly and taste fully all that a good wine has to offer.
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