Wine Tasting Basics

You’ll first need to gather some basic tools. Here are our recommendations.

Waiter’s Corkscrew

Sometimes also referred to as a wine key, this is the only corkscrew used by professionals. It is lightweight and portable and gives the user the most control over the cork. To use it, pull out the tiny blade and use it to remove the foil. Then rest the lever on the bottle’s rim and slowly wind the worm (the metallic helix) into the cork. Once it is inserted three-quarters of the way into the cork, use the lever to extract it from the bottle slowly.  

Wine Glass

The right glassware is a great indicator of wine knowledge. Experts know that the most important feature of a wine glass is its stem, and they always use it when tasting. This keeps the wine at its ideal serving temperature. In addition to stemless glasses, wine experts eschew faceted crystal or colored glassware that can obscure the appearance of the wine. When it comes to wine glasses, the simplest is best.

Wine Tasting BasicsWine Tasting Basics Wine Tasting Basics

Dump Bucket or Spittoon

When tasting wine, only a small amount of wine is necessary. Excessive pouring will hinder your ability to focus throughout the tasting. Using a spittoon preserves your cognition, and for that reason, is a sign of an experienced taster.

A White Surface or Tablecloth

This might sound pretentious, but holding a wine glass over a white surface helps you to evaluate the appearance of the wine. This is important for discerning characteristics like color, viscosity, and clarity. It also helps you to see any effervescence or sediment in the glass. 

Natural Light

Scientific studies have shown that lighting influences our ability to perceive the properties of wine. Natural, ambient lighting optimizes the tasting experience. This means that your tasting area should be bright and approximate natural light as much as possible, i.e., no fluorescents or harsh lighting. 

Tasting Notebook

Writing down your impressions of wine in a consistent format is one of the best tools available to advance your palate. Not only will it help you remember the wine, but you will also be better able to communicate your thoughts to others. 

Setting

Believe it or not, the best time to taste wine is in the morning. Toothpaste, coffee, and food can all dull the palate. At the very least, forgo spicy and fatty dishes before a tasting. It’s also important that the area around you is free from aromas, such as perfume, scented candles, smoke, or cooking odors. All of these things can overwhelm the more delicate aromas present in fine wine. 

Wine Tasting!

Now that all your tools are in order, the stage is set to taste.

Step #1

Start with white wines and end with full-bodied reds. This is called a progressive tasting, and does away with the need to rinse your glass between wines. (In fact, it’s preferable not to introduce water to the bowl of the glass once you start tasting.) 

Pour approximately 1 oz. of wine…

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