The world of wine has a landscape of its own, which only becomes known to you once you indulge in all that your wine glass contains.
For a connoisseur, a serving of vintage wine is not just a drink. For them, the label is equally important as the contents of the bottle because it reminds them of the place and era that it hails from. The texture and body of the wine is so overwhelming that the experience goes beyond the flavors on the tongue.
To put it plainly, they don’t just drink wine, they experience the very essence of it!
But for someone to whom all this sounds like gibberish, wine tasting Solvang can be a daunting experience. If you’re a novice, don’t worry yourself with a load of information. Here’s a quick guide to help you out.
Wine Basics
Even though it’s common knowledge that wine is made from grapes, they’re not the regular ones you find at the store. Wine grapes are richer in flavor, come with a thick peel and have seeds in them. However, that’s not the only criterion to classify wine grapes because there are 1300 different varieties of grapes used to extract wine essence.
Cabernet Sauvignon, as you may have heard, is one of the most popular names in planted wine grapes. It’s important to know that only 100 of the available wine grapes are found in about 75 percent of vineyards across the world!
Serving Wine and Selecting Glassware
You may have seen wine glasses stacked on shelves all your life. But did you know the importance of glassware in serving wine?
It might come as a surprise to you but the stark difference in colors of reds and whites is commemorated through the choice of glassware as well. You’ll find all the round-bottomed glasses that resemble the standard wine glass to be reserved for red wine. Whereas, the white labels are served specifically in a sparkling wine flute and others with a narrow mouth.
The colors are also coordinated with the choice of meal that they’re paired with. For instance, white wine is served with salty foods, creamy dishes and vegetable courses. On the contrary, reds are paired popularly with rich meats, sweets and roasted foods.
Developing a Taste
We said it before and we’ll say it again, wine tasting is a wholesome experience of its own. You don’t simply wash a glass down after food to fulfill the dinner ritual. It’s an indulgence that’s deeper than an oral sensation.
Here’s a quick four-part rule for wine tasting: look, smell, taste and think. To start off the right way, you need to tilt your glass until the deep-colored liquid catches the light and absorb the view. Next, bring it close to your nostrils and inhale deeply until the aroma tingle your insides. Then take small sips and feel the flavors on your tongue. Is it bitter? Is it sour? Is it sweet? Note it all in your head.
You end with a profile of your experience in your head. This will help you associate certain colors, with corresponding textures, smells and tastes. It’s all a matter of practice until you can tell one wine from another even with a blindfold on.
If you’re visiting Santa Ynez Valley, allow us to take you out on a Solvang wine tasting tour. It’s on us to make sure you enjoy every bit of the journey and tasting. Contact us for more details.