Navigating the world of wine drinking can be overwhelming for new wine drinkers. The most basic—and essential—skills you'll need to enjoy wine is tuning into your senses! Here's a simple guide so you can drink your next glass of wine like an expert:
Touch
It might seem like a no-brainer, but knowing how to drink wine includes understanding how to hold a wine glass properly. Wine glasses with stems are supposed to be held from the base with your thumb, middle finger, and index finger. The rest of your fingers should rest lightly on the base.
Sight
Closely examine your wine before tasting it. Fill about one-third of the glass and look at the wine from straight above. You can even hold your glass up to the light, then tilt it and allow the wine to roll to the edges of the glass. This will help you see the wine's full range of color and not just how it looks at its darkest.
While you’re tilting the glass, notice if the wine is pale and watery. If so, you're looking at young wine. Darker wines are aged or oxidized.
Next, place the glass on the table and gently swirl it three to four times. If tears form down the glass, this means the wine has a higher alcohol content and is dense. Swirling your wine occasionally allows the wine to oxygenate, bringing out complex aromas.
Smell
After observing the wine, it's time to bring the glass up to your nose and inhale.
Just before raising the glass, give it another gentle swirl to release the aroma. You might not want to push your nose too far into the glass; instead, hover right above it, taking short, quick sniffs. You want to pay attention to the aroma. What do you smell? You might not recognize all the complex scents, but if you're drinking fruit wine, you'll definitely get a burst of fruity or floral scents.
Taste
Now for the best part—remember to sip, not gulp! Many people tend to drink wine like juice. However, this delicacy is supposed enjoyed with patience.
Hold the wine in your mouth before swallowing to try to determine the flavors you’re tasting. Some people often spit out the wine before tasting the next one. This may be applicable for wine tasting events, but we suggest you go ahead and drink your wine to really enjoy the experience. When you swallow the wine, you'll get to enjoy its aftertaste, which is a massive component of the tasting process.
Wine Tasting in Solvang
Now that you’ve learned how to drink wine like a pro, reach out to Artisan Excursion for some of the best wine tasting tours Solvang CA. Our tours are budget friendly and completely safe during this time. Our goal is to acquaint you with some of the best wine in the Solvang region while ensuring you have the time of your life while wine tasting with your loved ones.