When it comes to wine tasting, there is no right or wrong. However, there are a few habits that all professionals in this field share. People seeking advice on how to start drinking wine should concentrate on developing a palate and honing their ability to recall a wine. Does that sound complicated? The tips below will simplify this point and answer the most frequently asked question: how to drink wine for beginners. Stay with us until the very end.
Understand the Importance of Horizontal Wine Storage
It is the general rule for storing wine safely for years. It is because upright bottles face a high risk of damage; over time, the cork begins to dry out, shrinks and allows external air to enter, contaminating the wine. As a result, all wine cellars have provisions for storing bottles horizontally. If you keep the bottle for a few weeks, you can hold it in any position you want.
Recommendations For Eating Before Wine Tasting
If you know you’ll be participating in a wine-tasting tour or event, try to avoid eating highly flavored and spicy foods. Meanwhile, we do not recommend brushing your teeth before a wine tasting.
Why? Because spices and toothpaste can alter the taste and thus ruin your experience. Although eating an apple can help to counteract all of the effects.
Always Wipe The Bottle’s Mouth After Pouring
When pouring wine, keep a napkin or tissue paper nearby. It reduces spills and keeps the bottle clean for future use—a technique used by sommeliers worldwide.
Smell The Wine Before Tasting It
You’ve probably seen this in a few movies and TV shows, and experts agree. Because our sense of smell is far superior to our understanding of taste, the wine is smelled before tasting. When we are drinking or chewing something, our nose is responsible for our perception rather than our taste buds. As a result, for a more enjoyable experience, try sniffing the wine before taking the first sip.
Take Small Sips And Savor The Taste
The answer to how to start drinking wine is to always savor it in the mouth before gulping it. Run the liquid over your tongue to taste the various flavors it contains. Take a medium to large sips as desired, but keep them in your mouth for a few seconds. It enhances the experience and flavor of the wine and allows the taste to remain in our memory.
Take Note of the Wine’s Color
If you’re new, it might be a good idea to hold the glass in front of a white wall or background. The color of the wine indicates its age. White wines typically gain color with age, whereas red wines lose intensity. As a result, if you come across a red wine with a bright color, it is likely new. The color of an old red wine will be tawny brown or burgundy. Regardless of their age, wines are enjoyable to look at.
Avoid Pouring Too Much At Once
When pouring wine into an empty glass, it’s important to know how much to run. It is usually advised not to fill the glass more than two-thirds full. It gives the guest the option of either ordering more or accepting the first serve. Wine glasses are designed to focus on the wine’s aroma, and overfilling destroy that effect.
Conclusion
Because wine is an acquired taste, its description varies from person to person. If you genuinely want to be a pro, you should try tasting as many different wines as possible and determine which one feels lighter on your tongue and matches your taste preferences. Above all, it is an experience that should be enjoyed and treasured, so don’t skip that part.