Before you start
Temperature: Serving your wine at the right temperature helps you get the best from its flavours and aromas. Each style of wine has its own recommended temperature range, so check what temperature best suits your wine and chill or let it rest as needed.
Let the wine breathe: Some wines, especially full-bodied reds, benefit from being decanted before tasting. Doing this aerates the wine – allowing oxygen in so the wine can ‘breathe’ and fully release its layers of complex aromas and flavours. Swirling wine in a glass does the same but on a smaller scale.
Lighting: Use natural light to see the wine’s colour, depth and clarity. If you can, use a setting with a white background – a piece of white paper or a white tablecloth – to help you see the wine’s colour better.
2. Swirl - Hold the glass by the stem and gently swirl the glass bowl to release the wine’s aromas.
3. Sniff - Did you know that approximately 80-90% of taste is actually smell? Place your nose just above the rim of the glass and breathe in the wine’s scent – you might be able to identify some distinct aromas.
4. Sip - Take a small sip of wine and hold it on your tongue to savour its flavours and pay attention to its texture, acidity and weight. Light-bodied wines typically feel like water, while full-bodied wines often feel heavier on the tongue, similar to cream. A wine high in tannins creates a bitter, astringent sensation that leaves your mouth dry.
5. Savour - After swallowing, pay your attention to the wine’s finish. Does the wine linger or disappear quickly? A long finish is an indicator of high quality. Complex wines are typically more detailed and deep, with longer finishes and lingering flavours.
How to host a wine tasting
What you'll need
- 2 wine glasses per person (at least)
- Wines to taste in pairs
- A spittoon (highly recommended even if it’s just a large mug)
- A wine saver
- Tasting sheet for each taster (and don’t forget a pen or pencil)
- Water, to keep the palate fresh and stay hydrated
- Dry biscuits, crackers or bread to cleanse the palate
Pro tips for a successful wine tasting
1. Choose your wines carefully - Pick a mix of red, white and rosé wines for your tasting – ideally five to seven different types of wine. Choose a tasting theme you're enthusiastic about to pep up your tasting - people love stories and a good anecdote will add to the occasion.
2. Taste wines in the right order - from lightest to heaviest, white before red, and dry before sweet. As a general rule, you’ll want to start with fizz, then move to light whites, oaky whites, rosé, light reds, big bold reds and end with sweet dessert wines.
3. Use the right glassware (and avoid too much washing up!) – Use an all-purpose wine glass with a wide bottom that narrows towards the top. This shape lets you swirl the wine to enjoy its smell fully.
4. Rate the wines - Consider using a point system to rate wines (e.g., out of 20) to help you remember your preferences. Allow a few minutes for everyone to talk about and score the wine. Remember there are no rights or wrongs and try to make sure everyone chips in.
5. Take wines out of the fridge just before you start - and don’t chill red wines so much. Only an hour the fridge, if recommended on the label.
