The Second Glass

You may have left college, but there are still times when it seems like your wine knowledge beyond boxes and jugs is lacking. The best way to improve that pallet is to go to wine expos, liquor stores, and wine nights to taste, taste, taste.

If you stay away from these events because you don’t know the correct way to taste, don’t worry. Luckily, all it takes is four simple steps to be swirling and sipping like the pros:

The Spin

Easily the most addictive of all the four moves; it looks cool and is just plain fun. Wine is packed full of aromatic compounds that just need a little spin to come out of solution.

Do: Grab the base of the glass, and gently spin it around a few times.
Don’t: Spin so hard you splash wine on your shirt. I’ve done it before.

The Sniff

After some good spinning, bring the glass to nose level and tilt to your nose to take a whiff. This can often be the most interesting part of tasting wine since different people will pick up different scents.
Do: Repeat this periodically as you drink the wine – the aromas will change as the wine sits.
Don’t: Make sniffing sounds. Just breathe in gently through your nose.

The Sip

You’ve spun and sniffed a few times and now it’s time to reward yourself with a sip of the nectar of the gods.
Do: Take a small sip and then pucker your lips to take in a little air. The aroma compounds that vaporize from the heat of your mouth will be carried up your nasal passage.
Don’t: Gulp. We’re tasting wine here, not playing beer pong.

Need to actually say something about the wine? Here’s a list of some great terms that can describe ANY wine:

* Complex * Round * Fruity * Aromatic* Smooth * Supple * Well-Balanced

String these words together to really show off: “I found this wine to be complex and fruity with a smooth yet well-balanced finish.” Swish…that was a 3-pointer!