Wine tasting can seem a bit daunting at first. A lot of people see it as some kind of test, with right and wrong answers, rules, and grades. Luckily, there’s a better approach. Think of wine tasting as an incredible opportunity to start identifying and defining your own personal preferences. That’s it. No wrong answers, no judgment, and the only rule? Enjoy yourself.
As for technique, one that we find particularly useful is called “The Five S’s,” which stands for See, Swirl, Sniff, Sip, and Savor. Let’s unpack what each one means.
See
Hold your glass of wine up against a piece of paper or white table cloth so you have a nice clean backdrop. Look at the color of the rim—the area around the edges where the wine meets the glass. This will tell you the age of the wine. For example, when looking at our JUSTIN Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, you’ll see that it’s bright with a nearly opaque core, and the rim is a medium ruby/purple color, which indicates a young, fruit-forward wine.
Swirl
Swirl the wine in your glass to aerate it and release the aromas. These are created by compounds called esters, which form during the winemaking process. Swirling the wine breaks up the esters, releasing the aromas into the glass.
Sniff
Put your nose into the glass and inhale deeply. See if you can separate the aromas that come from the grapes—like fruits, herbs, and floral notes—and those that come from the winemaking process, such as vanilla and cedar. Older wines also tend to have more earthy notes of leather and autumn leaves.
Sip
As you sip the wine, roll it over your tongue and aerate it by slurping just a bit, then let it touch your teeth and cheeks. This will help engage all your taste buds so you can identify both the fruity and savory elements of the wine. Be sure to sip twice, as the first sip can often shock the palate, especially if the wine is higher in alcohol.
Savor
Last but certainly not least, it’s time to savor. This is where what we call the “finish” comes into play. Look for length and intensity in the makeup of flavors.
As for the final verdict, if the wine leaves with you an overwhelming desire to take another sip, you’ve found a winner. Now there’s nothing left to do but raise a glass, enjoy, and repeat.
Cheers!
FAQs
As for technique, one that we find particularly useful is called “The Five S's,” which stands for See, Swirl, Sniff, Sip, and Savor. Let's unpack what each one means. Hold your glass of wine up against a piece of paper or white table cloth so you have a nice clean backdrop.
What are the 5 S's of wine tasting? ›
There are five main things that you need to focus on when tasting wine: sight, smell, swirl, sip, and savour. Each of these steps are important in order to get the most out of your wine-tasting experience.
What are the 5 tips for wine tasting? ›
Any time you are trying a new wine, make sure to follow our wine tasting guide.
- 1.) See. Take note of the color of wine, but also the opacity and viscosity of the wine. ...
- 2.) Swirl. Swirling the wine aerates the wine. ...
- 3.) Smell. Many people know this step but few perform it correctly. ...
- 4.) Sip. ...
- 5.) Style.
The Seven S's of Tasting
- See. Hold your glass to the light and look through the wine. ...
- Swirl. Air is beneficial for a wine. ...
- Smell. Generally, you want to avoid sticking your whole nose into the glass. ...
- Sip. Take your first sip of the wine. ...
- Slurp. ...
- Savor. ...
- Spit!
In summary, the three S's of wine tasting – swirling, sniffing, and sipping – are an essential part of the wine tasting process. By following these steps, you can fully experience the flavors and aromas of the wine and gain a deeper appreciation for its characteristics.
What is the proper etiquette for wine tasting? ›
Taste the wine in small sips, not large gulps. Let it swirl in your mouth and enjoy the feel, the texture, and the taste. By swirling it you will get the whole experience and palate of tasting. Also, be observant of what lingers in your mouth after you swallow it or spit it out.
What are the three most important steps in wine tasting? ›
Your easy guide to wine tasting:
- Step 1: Pour a glass and take a good look. For obvious reasons, it's always best to look at a wine against a white background in good lighting. ...
- Step 2: Sniff, Swirl, Inhale. ...
- Step 3: Have a Taste.
Enter the 20/20 rule for drinking wine
It's pretty simple: 20 minutes before you drink your bottle of white or rosé, take it out of the fridge. 20 minutes before you drink your bottle of red, put it in the fridge.
What not to do before wine tasting? ›
Wine Tasting Etiquette 101
- Rule #1: Give yourself the gift of a designated driver. ...
- Rule #2: For the best experience, make an appointment before you arrive. ...
- Rule #3: Don't drink on an empty stomach. ...
- Rule #4: Refrain from wearing strong scents or eating strong flavors before your tasting.
As for technique, one that we find particularly useful is called “The Five S's,” which stands for See, Swirl, Sniff, Sip, and Savor.
IT'S ALL ABOUT THE TASTES
This means you needn't worry, for now, about finding that “hint of dill” in the wine to match the dill sauce on your salmon. What you really need to consider first is the five basic taste sensations: sweet, sour, bitter, salty and umami.
How to do a proper wine tasting? ›
The Five S's of Wine Tasting: See, Swirl, Sniff, Sip, Savor
- See: Begin the tasting process by visually assessing the wine's color and clarity. ...
- Swirl: Swirling the wine in the glass is not just for show—it serves a vital purpose. ...
- Sniff: Bring the glass to your nose and inhale deeply to identify the wine's aromas.
There are five basic steps in tasting wine: color, swirl, smell, taste, and savor. These are also known as the "five S" steps: see, swirl, sniff, sip, savor.
What are the 5 senses for wine tasting? ›
Use your five senses to enjoy your wine!
- Hearing: your wine tells you to listen out. In wine tasting, everything starts with… ...
- Sight: wines invite contemplation. ...
- Smell: the precursor of flavour, yet something more than that. ...
- Taste: when the wine enters your mouth. ...
- Touch: your hands and wine.
Of its world-class fine wines, one of Italy's most famous groups is known as the Killer B's: Barolo, Barbaresco, and Brunello di Montalcino. These famous wines are produced in Italy's famed Tuscany and Piedmont wine regions and are a must-try for all wine lovers visiting these parts of the country.
What is the 4 S's in wine? ›
Swirl, sniff, sip and spit was the phrase used in the 1980s and 1990s by our Sonoma County Wineries Association to help people in a humorous way to taste wine responsibly. Easy to remember not always easy to do especially the last word.
What is the acronym for tasting wine? ›
I like to use the acronym SATAB, which stands for Sweetness, Acidity, Tannin, Alcohol, and Body. Let's cover each of these.
What is the correct order for tasting wine? ›
By following the logic of rule number 1, it is therefore advisable to drink a white or a rosé first, before going red. This will allow your taste buds to better perceive the subtle aromas of light, floral or fruity wines, before moving on to more powerful notes of red wine.
