Contrary to popular belief, wine tasting isn’t as simple as just sipping a sample.
There are many things you need to do prior to sampling to fully enjoy a glass of wine. We’re of course talking about the renowned Five S Method that is bound to add a new dimension to your wine tasting experience
For those of you aspiring to be a wine tasting connoisseur, here’s how the Five S Method works.
1. See:
While the primary purpose of wine tasting may be to give your taste buds something to cherish, this doesn’t necessarily mean that all other senses should feel left out. In fact, it’s been noted that wine tastes better and is much more enjoyable when your other senses (in particular, your sight) are invited to the party.
So before you start sipping, we want you to pay close attention to the color of the wine. This works best when you hold the wine glass against a white background as it reveals all you need to know about grape variety and the intensity of the flavor.
2. Swirl:
Now that you’ve let your eyes feast on the sample, it’s time we make the wine ready for consumption. A simple and effective way of ensuring that every sip you take has a uniform and well-rounded flavor to it is by swirling the drink in your hand.
Stir your drink by swirling it gently. However, don’t go overboard and spill the drink on your clothes as wine stains are notoriously hard to eliminate!
3. Sniff:
Although the practice is called wine tasting, we believe that the sample’s smell plays an equally (if not more) important role in the process. Believe it or not, wine experts can judge the quality and the taste of a glass of wine by giving it a sniff!
A simple way to develop your sense of smell is to speculate on the ingredients of the wine and then tallying your guesses from the back of the bottle to see how you fared.
4. Sip:
Now that your wine glass is ready for drinking, it’s time you took a generous sip. Take a generous sip and let the drink rest in your mouth for a few seconds before swallowing.
This will ensure that the wine is evenly coated on the innards of your mouth and that your taste buds are saturated with taste.
5. Savor:
As far as wine tasting is concerned, rinsing your mouth immediately after a sip is nothing short of a cardinal sin. Make no mistake about it; if you’re too quick to rid your mouth of the taste of wine, you’re essentially wrecking your own wine tasting experience.
Therefore, the last part of the Five S Method revolves around savoring the flavor. What we mean by that is that you should take your time before you sample another drink or rinse your mouth with water. This is bound to enhance your palette and can make wine tasting much more fun!
And there you have it, the critically acclaimed Five S Method that can significantly enhance your next wine tour. That being said, the success or failure of a wine tour is also largely dependent on the people you tour with, especially your guide. Simply put, the right people can accentuate a wine tour while the wrong ones can ruin it completely.
If you’re looking for a wine tasting tour in Santa Ynez or Solvang, CA, we’re easily your best bet of having a memorable one! We welcome families with pets and children, and offer numerous pick and drop points so that it’s easier for you to participate!
Book a wine tour with us today to see the difference for yourself!
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