If you’re like my fiancée, who loves wine but doesn’t exactly know why, you might want to take a look at a few tips I developed when I first started drinking wine. These steps helped me to define my taste and expand my knowledge of wine. In essence, it’s the “think while you drink” method. I like to use this mantra in my 101 classes for new wine lovers.
It’s simple really. And even better, it’s all in your head. To begin, start from the top and work your way down: forehead, eyes, nose, mouth and throat. That’s all you need! Okay, that’s not ALL you need, but if you think about these things every time you taste wine, your palate will become more sharp. Still not convinced? Let’s discuss each.
Forehead - THINK about what you are drinking. What is it? Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, etc. Pay attention to what you are drinking so you can start to determine what you like. You will also begin to notice important differences with each varietal. Though you might think this is a basic step, I’ve talked to many wine lovers who aren’t really sure which varietal(s) they prefer.
Eyes - Describe the color: white, red, pale yellow, golden yellow, light red, deep dark ruby red? Be more descriptive than just “red or white”. Most new wine lovers might not be aware of the array of colors that characterize different varietals. Remember, color should not be overlooked because it demonstrates the genuineness of the varietal. For example, if I’m drinking a Cab the color should be dark red because Cabs are rich and bold. Or if I’m drinking an Oaky Chardonnay, I would expect to see a very dark golden color because the Oak creates a rich color. Knowing the differences in varietals and their appropriate colors will show up later in a future article or perhaps class 202.
Nose - Describe the smell: blackberry, blueberry pie, strawberry, apple, cat pee [yes, I said cat pee (as in meow)]. Do you like the smell? Most know (even new wine lovers) that smell is important (we’ve all seen people stick their nose in the glass) but most don’t know why. So here’s the breakdown: the smell tells me if it’s well made. Can I smell the fruit? It’s important to smell fruit because it indicates good vineyard management. Can I smell the terroir (a French word pronounced to-ware which means a growing region and the characteristics of that region or land)? A good wine starts at the vineyard. Are the grape clusters properly manicured, shaded, facing the right direction according to the breeze and so on? I can elaborate but I know we are keeping these steps simple. And now, lets discuss the terroir. You should be able to pick out characteristics of the land the grape was grown on when smelling. So if it’s an earthy Pinot, you should be able to smell spices and minerals. As your knowledge increases so will your ability to recognize these characteristics. Okay, so I know what you are thinking, we cannot leave this paragraph without discussing the fact that I mentioned cat pee and wasn’t kidding. Winemakers are able to manipulate the wine to create certain aroma’s that they want the wine to exhibit. That’s why when you smell blackberry in your glass; it doesn’t mean that that blackberries were added (unless it’s a blackberry wine). Therefore when we talk about cat pee, not to worry, it wasn’t added to your wine but the smell to some (and yes I personally like it) represents a bold strong smell which represents a bold strong wine. I know this sounds absolutely crazy but trust me, as you advance, it will all make sense and you too may enjoy the smell of cat pee. We found a great blog that has an interesting article for more information. http://www.courtneycochran.com/blog/2006/11/cats_pee_can_be_a_good_thing.html
Mouth – Finally….the taste. How does it taste? Do you like the taste? If you don’t like the taste it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a bad wine. If you do like the taste, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a good wine. Taste is more important for defining what you like, however, the more you learn about wine and its processes the more you will appreciate and identify the finer wines. To really experience a wine while tasting, I suggest gurgling it in your mouth (like what you do with mouthwash) or doing the reverse straw (kind of like slurping), which adds oxygen to the wine allowing it to open up. The goal is to coat your mouth and tongue with the wine to allow the flavors to express.
Throat – How does it finish? Is it long or short? Is it harsh or smooth? Again, as my fiancée would ask, what does this mean? What is finish and how can it be long or short, harsh or smooth? The finish basically means what you are feeling as you swallow and after the swallow. After you swallow do your glands salivate? Do you still taste the fruit, more or less? These are things to pay attention to so you can experience the finish. Long or short finish is really just referring to timing. Was the finish quick or did it last a little bit. Harsh or smooth means the after-taste it leaves your mouth and throat. An extremely dry wine and wine with high alcohol would be harsh and would make your throat feel scratchy. Smooth basically means it goes down smooth and is easy to drink. For the most part both are easy to determine. It’s really one of those things you know when you feel it.
As I’m writing this article and drinking wine with Jen (my admitted wine amateur fiancée) she says to me, “I can’t tell what the heck I smell in this wine” as she sips her Port (one of her favorites). I just chuckle. Know this, developing these skills takes time. If you can’t determine what you smell in your wine now, its okay, you will in time. It just takes practice and with wine that’s great news to hear!
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