Tips on how to become an effective wine taster

Today, wine tasting parties are organized to bring together all wine lovers and test their expertise. Here are some tips on how to become an effective wine taster:

1. Preparing the tongue.

Obviously, the tongue plays a major role in wine tasting. It contains taste buds that are responsible in detecting if food or drinks being eaten are bitter, salty, sour, or sweet. To make them work as intended, swish wine around the mouth, this will signal the tongue to get ready in identifying the wine.

2. Preparing the sense of smell.

Aside from the tongue, the nose will also play an important role in tasting a wine. Wine experts know that it isn’t a good idea when tasting a wine while having a running nose or colds because it will affect their sense of taste. In smelling the wine, it is necessary to swirl it first. Examining the wine’s appearance.

To determine color of the wine, pour it in a clear glass and use white paper or tablecloth for background. This procedure will give you an idea about the age of the wine. For example, when white wine appears whiter it means it contains more flavors and it may be vintage. On the other hand, red wines appear lighter as they age.

4. Evaluating the wine.

After following the first 3 steps, it is time to evaluate the wine. In order to do so, these questions must be answered: Is wine rich or light? The answers will lead the wine taster to decide if the taste is appropriate for a specific brand or type of wine.

To become an expert wine tester, you need to taste several wines. It would help to keep notes on the impression and labels of each wine. Judging a wine’s taste

There are hundreds of wines available on the market today. First time buyers usually don't have any idea what to pick so they settle for the best packaged wine bottles but end up drinking low quality wines.

Here are some tips on how to judge the wine from its appearance, smell, and taste:

1. Some wine makers forget to sanitize all their equipment leaving residue in the bottled wines.

Avoid the ones that are cloudy, this indicates that the wine is dull. The color of the wine depends on its type. Fortified wines are pale yellow, red wines are deep purple, amber, and mahogany, white wines on the other hand are colorless or pale yellow to a deeper shade of gold and amber.

Full bodied or heavy wines will flow down in sheets while medium bodied wines are likely to break in lines. Wines that are light bodied on the other hand will not cling at all when swirled.

2. A wine’s taste will largely depend on its smell.

Good tasting wines release pleasant aroma sof the substances used in making a specific wine. A bad tasting wine smells like mold or rotten eggs usually because of metal contamination during the aging process. These unpleasant smelling wines should not be drunk due to risk of being poisoned.

3. A good tasting wine has a specific and strong flavor that is commonly used in recognizing its type.

In addition, the wine must have balance among its components without excess acidity or tannin.

This process will allow strong sensations on the tongue to determine the texture and flavor of the wine.

Also, good tasting wines don't leave an unpleasant aftertaste. Judging the taste of the wine begins with its appearance. Don't be fooled with nice bottles or packages when buying wines, instead pay attention to its clarity. If the wine looks good, it is highly possible that it will smell and taste good.

Knowing the best kinds of wine.

People enjoy drinking wine because it’s relaxing, a great meal partner, and has healthy effects on the body. Before deciding what type or brand of wine to buy, there are some things that you need to know. Always make sure that you are buying the best bottle. Here are some things that you should check before purchasing a bottle of wine.

Quality

Most wines on the market right now are made for mass consumption, therefore making it more “acceptable” to general taste. When you are out searching for a bottle, be sure to consider its brand or type. In this country, a sparkling wine is usually called “Champagne”. We all know that Champagne is a place in France where great sparkling wines are made. Good sparkling wines don't carry the name Champagne on their labels. So be sure to look for descriptions of this kind before purchasing.

Taste

Most starters like sweet wine. However, as you get familiar with the taste, be sure to try different kinds. The first thing that you should consider is the wine’s color. Red and white wines have different tastes, and a rose wine has a whole different kind of taste. Aside from this, various wines can be partnered with different meals too. Wines have many different tastes and it's best to try them to find your favorite.

Terroir

Although this has been a debate over the years, most wine drinkers believe that the wine’s terroir has a great effect on its quality. Terroir is defined as the soil and the environment where the grapes are harvested. People believe that the wine’s from well known terroirs are better than most wines produced in other places. So if you want to be more sophisticated in choosing your wine bottle, make sure they come from a well known terroir.

Personalize

Visit your local wine shop and ask the owner about wine types that you may like. As you try different types, make a list of the wines that you find interesting. In this way, you will have your own ‘criteria’ and before you know it, you'll be an expert when it comes to your own tastes buds.

There are many things to enjoy when drinking wine, just make sure that you don’t drink too much at a time. Although most wines don't contain great amounts of alcohol, it is best to drink it in moderation. However, the best thing about wine is that it is far more enjoyable than the other alcoholic drinks. So join the club and start drinking wine!

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Choosing the Best Wine for Each Occasion

There are really no hard and fast rules when choosing the best wine for each occasion - especially when you consider the fact that people are partial to certain wines depending on their personal preference and taste. Here are a few ‘soft’ guidelines to help you choose the right wine for the right occasion. This will give you a good idea on how to complement an occasion – and certain dishe – with the right kind of wine.

1. White Wines – white wines, being lighter and drier than red wines are best served during the earlier part of the evening or before the main course. Chardonnay, having wide appeal among most wine connoisseurs, is also perfect for serving along with rich tasting courses, especially those that have creamy sauces. Sauvignon Blanc, while not as dry as Chardonnay, still makes excellent company with salads, shrimp, and fish due to its fruity nature.

White wines are perfect for starting off an evening on the right foot, and are also wonderful for toasts and special occasions. Champagne is a regular fixture at weddings and is indispensable at such occasions.

2. Red Wines – red wines are great for main courses and are typically served during the latter part of any occasion. Their full bodied nature makes them a great complement to hearty meals. If you are looking for the wine that is most certain to please the most people, go for Merlot. It has a balanced mix of body and lightness that make it the perfect choice for most dishes. It particularly does well with poultry, pork and lamb.

The scintillating aroma of plum, vanilla and blackberry make Pinot Noir an intriguing proposition during special occasions. It is not as heralded as Merlot or Cabernet, so many people may not recognize its unique blend. It goes well with creamy sauces.

For spicy foods, Shiraz is a fiery complement. It has a peppery taste that will greatly enhance the flavor in barbeques, roasts, and chili or spicy dishes.

For a hearty, full taste, look no further than Chianti. Chianti is the best wine to accompany tomato dishes and poultry. It is wonderfully versatile in having varied range in price and quality.

During some occasions you may want to prepare servings of both red and white wine, and have your guests sample which they would have for the rest of the evening. Most people choose their drinks early on and keep them until the end of the reception.

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