If you’re starting your journey into the world of wines, you might have encountered the term wine tasting.
Most of us think of sommeliers professionally swirling, sipping, and smelling delectable, expensive wines in Hunter Valley wineries. You might believe you can never do what they do, but the truth is far from that.
As much as sommeliers are impressive, you can develop your wine tasting skills by following simple steps. You may be unable to tell a vintage wine from a single sip, but you can distinguish acidity and flavour intensity.
Read our guide below to prepare for your first Hunter Valley wine tasting:
Tasting Wines
As a beginner, you must understand the proper etiquette and terminologies before trying your first wine tasting session. Take note of the following:
- Read – Look at the bottle’s label to understand the type of wine, its source, and its age.
- Pouring – Always pour enough wine into your glass for one or two sips. Only take a small amount and leave enough for other tasters.
- Examine – Take your time to examine the wine in your glass and describe its colour, opacity, and viscosity. Let the wine “breathe” by swirling it, then take a whiff of its aroma.
- Tasting – A rule of thumb is to sip, not swallow. Professionals will let the wine roll in their mouths while sucking in the air. But you can take one large sip and swish the wine to coat your tongue. Hold it in for a while to understand its personality.
- Terminologies – It is good to learn wine vocabulary used when evaluating wines. You might hear words like “fruity,” “oaky,” “balanced,” and “tannic” when tasting.
- Spit – Professional settings have a spittoon where you can spit the wine out after tasting. Make it a habit to spit the wine you tasted in the spittoon after every taste so the alcohol does not affect your judgment. If you do not like the wine, pour it in the spittoon.
- Cleansing – Cleanse your palate after every taste with a cracker or bread. Some tasting rooms will have dedicated palette cleansers.
- Don’t Stress – There is no right or wrong when evaluating wines. Wine tasting is a fantastic way for beginners to explore the wonderful world of wines.
Join Us at Ivanhoe
Wine tasting will introduce you to the luxurious world of wines. Experience the best life with good company, great food, and some of the finest cellar doors in Hunter Valley only here at Ivanhoe Wines.