How to Taste Wine

The taste of wine is extremely subjective. Beyond the four basic taste sensations- bitter, sweet, salt, and acid-people discover all sorts of taste references in wine. The wine tasting ritual is:

Scan
Pour one ounce of wine into glass and grasp stem so your hand does not heat the wine. Hold up to the light and evaluate clarity (is it clear or cloudy) and color.

Sniff
Your first nose-in-the-glass sniff is the most accurate. Check for the aroma - an odor particular to the grape and bouquet - a complexity of scents formed only after the wine ages. Do you smell hints of citrus, spice or fruit?

Swirl
As you swirl the wine, it evaporates more quickly and this enhances the smell.

Sip
Swish wine around your mouth touching all parts of your tongue - then hold on your palate while breathing in. Note body (the impression wine makes in your mouth) and any tartness, bitterness or sweetness.

Spit or Swallow
Pay attention to the finish (aftertaste), for some flavors appear only now. Write down your impressions and above all, enjoy!