Wine Tasting 101: A Beginner's Guide About 20 years ago I discovered wine--not the wine’s we consumed as young adults, but the “real” thing. And so began a new passion…
Back then the company I worked for had decided to carry wine and the push was on to not only make it profitable but outsell all the other locations in the chain. I had thought, this is something I can get behind! Challenge accepted! What I hadn't known was really anything about wine itself. I couldn't give advice or chat up the merits of a particular vintage or grape. How was I supposed to sell this stuff?
Back in the day, we were all introduced to the white zinfandel’s by Beringer and Sutter Home, and we thought we were so sophisticated. Of course we were—we had graduated from Boone’s Farm. We were now Real Wine Drinkers. But venturing any further than that was difficult—the reds I tried either tasted bad or gave a whopping headache. I knew nothing about the more cultured side of attending wine tastings, come on, this was the 80’s in Alaska!
Well, I started reading and a whole new world opened up to me--and another dent in my wallet. Once I started digging into the grapes, the viticulture and viniculture, country of origin—mind was blown at how much I didn’t know and not entirely sure my brain could hold all this new information. Well, don’t try to eat the elephant—start small and local. In my case, I started with what was being offered at my store, some Virginia wines, but primarily wine from Oregon and California. We tried selling a South American line, but it truly was unpalatable.
We were located in a large mall and known for sweets and specialty foods, not wine, so the crowd on the whole wasn’t the type to enjoy the finer wines, but we certainly had no problem selling the Chocovine! After a short time, the company decided wine wasn’t doing as well as hoped and removed it. And I also moved on.
Next stop: specialty food from Spain. This was another huge learning curve, but one I absolutely loved. I was put in charge of the wine room and threw myself into learning everything I could about Spain and its regions. We had been working to bring the old kitchen up to code and started with Saturday tapas--another jump into learning the world of the restaurateur. We advertised wine tastings and were a huge hit in the community. The wine room grew to make up almost 30% of the store’s income. Pairing the wines with the authentic Spanish food we were selling just made sense. All this knowledge allowed us to add great wines to our portfolio and so began a deeper foray into the alluring and intoxicating world of wine.
I had moved on again to a job that put me in charge of food, but the wine department and a very knowledgeable Sommelier were right next door to my department.
In 2017, I tested for and proudly received my Intro-Sommelier Certificate (just so you know, I’m not just an enthusiast), and that’s when I started hosting wine and food pairing nights at home. I’d bring together wines from around the world and pair them with dishes to create an experience for my friends. A few of them were still deep in their white zinfandel phase, which always made for some fun teaching moments!
When I host wine tastings, I always start by reassuring those who are new to wine or a bit shy about speaking up. Wine is a personal experience—there’s no right or wrong when it comes to what you like, and you shouldn’t feel pressured to agree with someone just because they seem like they know more. And here’s the thing: you can pair any wine with any meal. Period. The point of wine pairings is to enhance the dish and elevate the vibe of the wine. If you think a white wine can hold up to a hearty beef dish, then go for it! Trust your taste buds—wine pairing is all about personal preference.
So, with that being said, I suggest starting with understanding the basic types of wines: red, white, rosé, and sparkling. Explore the most common varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Pinot Noir. These are usually a gentler way to enter the world of wine and will give you the start you need to build on.
Tasting wine involves your senses:
1. Sight: observe the color and clarity of the wine. Is it deep and rich or pale and light? Roll it around the glass, does it cling to the sides or simply roll back into the bowl?
2. Smell: Swirl the wine gently in your glass to release its aromas. Take a moment to inhale deeply and identify the different scents. Is it earthy? Floral? Minerals?
3. Taste: take a small sip and let the flavors dance roll across your palate. Pay attention to the taste, texture, and finish of the wine.
Your senses will mature as you sample more and more wines, and you will be able to pull out some of the more elusive smells and flavors as your tastes develop.
It’s a good idea to take notes and there are apps that can assist in your research and tracking what you have sampled. I use the Vivino app. You can sign up to receive free shipping off your orders, paying only $4.99 a month.
Wine and food are made for each other, so enhance your tasting experience by pairing your wine with your meal. If you are eating out, ask the server to recommend a glass or bottle to accompany your dinner. Restaurants that offer a wine list usually have a sommelier or chef that is familiar enough to offer pairings.
Wine is produced all over the world, and each region has its own unique terroir, which influences the taste and character of the wine. You will discover that some old world regions process their wines quite differently than some regions that are more recent producers.
One of the best ways to learn about wine is by attending wine tastings. These events provide an opportunity to sample a variety of wines and learn from knowledgeable experts. But please don’t embarrass yourself (or me) attempting to break down that sample of fruit wine (I have seen it happen).
Remember, wine tasting is all about personal discovery—there’s no right or wrong way to do it. The key is to have fun, try new things, and find what you love. So, go ahead, raise your glass and cheers to the exciting world of wine tasting!
