Ordering and tasting wine can be intimidating, especially if a sommelier is pouring wine for you and watching you as you taste the wine. Below are some simple, yet effective steps to take when wine tasting, whether taking the first sip from a sommelier’s first pour or when attending a formal wine tasting event.

The key to wine tasting is to fully use your senses – sight, smell and taste, to fully appreciate the wine. Wine tasting can be made easy by using and remembering the 6 S steps of wine tasting – see, swirl, sniff, sip, swallow and savor. Remember and practice these 6 S steps and you will be a wine tasting expert.

1. See – First, observe and study the wine’s clarity and color.

2. Swirl – Swirl, swish and rotate the wine in the glass. This will help unleash the wine’s aroma.

3. Sniff – Lift the glass’ rim to your nose and inhale deeply. Mentally catalog or describe the flavors you smell.

4. Sip – Take a small sip of wine. Swish and roll the wine around in your mouth allowing it to touch your tongue and all sides of your mouth.

5. Swallow – Mentally catalog or describe the taste.

6. Savor – Wine is not meant to be rushed.

See, swirl, sniff, sip, swallow and savor the delicate balance of a wine’s aromas and flavors. Remember and follow the 6 S steps and you will obtain more enjoyment out of your wine.

Published 11/14/2009 12:00:00 AM

Tags: Wine Tasting