Watch: Tips for your next wine tasting
Properly tasting wine can seem a little intimidating, but there are actually only a few steps you need to remember to do it well. We caught up with Tyler Balliet, founder and president of Wine Riot South End, for his tips on how to taste wine like a pro.
After being surprised by sparkling wine, we’re talking about wine tasting in this installment of our Toast to travel series. Properly tasting wine can seem a little intimidating, but there are actually only a few steps you need to remember to do it well. We caught up with Tyler Balliet, founder and president of Wine Riot South End, about how to taste wine like a pro. Check out his pointers in this video and read a recap of the four simple tips below.
First, take a look
Hold up your glass and get a good look at the wine. Check it out from several different angles and inspect its color. The more you do this, the more you’ll be able to associate color with flavor.
Give it a swirl
Tilt your glass in a circular motion so that the liquid inside moves around. This movement adds oxygen, which makes the wine more volatile and brings out its existing smell.
Next, sniff it
Don’t be afraid to put your nose right in your glass for this step. Take a few sniffs. Are the scents floral? Fruity? Earthy? Try to see if you can identify any of the aromas you pick up.
Lastly, take a sip
It’s time for that long-awaited taste. When you take your first sip, making a slurping noise is actually encouraged. It may sound funny, but it helps to aerate the wine. Swish it around so it moves to different parts of your tongue and you can take in the wine’s flavors. Now, you get to enjoy the rest of the glass—cheers!
Have you ever been to a wine tasting on a Food & Wine Tour? Have any tips of your own to share? Tell us in the comments on Facebook.