| Of course, we're talking about wine-tasting as | | | | as it stops moving; do you see little tendrils of wine |
| something you go out and do, whether it's on a | | | | clinging to the sides of the glass? Those are called |
| winery tour, at a friend's house, or some catered | | | | "legs", and the more legs a wine has clinging to the |
| event. | | | | sides of the glass after you swirl it, the more alcohol |
| If attending at a winery, do take the time first to | | | | it contains. |
| find out about the winery's history. This might involve | | | | A second purpose to the swirling motion is that this |
| a tour of the place, with the summer help giving you | | | | allows the wine to "breathe". So after it's settled a |
| a little walk-around and five-minute speech. Read the | | | | little, inhale with your nose over the glass. About half |
| brochures. Studying the history of a place is part of | | | | of how a wine tastes is tied up with how it smells, |
| appreciating the romance and magic of wine; you'll | | | | and the aroma of wine is an intended part of the |
| always learn something new and fascinating. | | | | experience. |
| In the actual tasting, progress through the wines in | | | | And you thought they were doing that just to look |
| order from lightest to heaviest. In fact, whenever | | | | like sophisticated show-offs! |
| you'll be sampling several wines in a row (or even | | | | Now you're ready for a taste. Sip a little less than a |
| when you're serving them), follow the general rule: | | | | mouthful, and roll it around on your tongue. Hit every |
| * Young wines before mature ones. | | | | taste bud you have with it, even under your tongue. |
| * Light wines before heavy ones. | | | | Let the vapors from it permeate your sinuses. Now |
| * Chilled wines before chambered wines. | | | | swallow - don't spit, as that's only something that |
| * Low alcohol before high alcohol. | | | | judges do and even then they'd rather swallow if |
| * Dry wines before sweet wines. | | | | they think they can get by. Let the aftertaste come |
| If you don't know which is which, ask the winery | | | | to your palate. Now's the time to voice your reaction: |
| staff, who will only be too happy to point them out. | | | | how was it? Don't be shy about your opinion; every |
| They will understand that part of the purpose of | | | | taster can tell the staff something new about their |
| wine-tasting is to learn more about wine, so don't be | | | | wine. |
| shy if you want to ask questions. | | | | If you're tasting several wines, take a break every |
| Between wines, it is customary to either rinse with | | | | now and then and stroll around. The property of |
| water or nibble on a piece of bread or pastry to | | | | most wineries is worth a walk just to soak up the |
| cleanse the palate. Some wineries or events will give | | | | scenery and atmosphere. If it's a social occasion, all |
| you a small sample - almost a "shot" - and others will | | | | the more reason to pace yourself as you socialize. At |
| let you have a glass or two of one wine if you fancy | | | | a winery, there will usually be a time at the end of |
| it. Do try to restrain yourself! Several wines in a row | | | | the tasting where they give you the opportunity to |
| can build up alcohol levels unexpectedly fast. Sip small | | | | buy something. By all means, feel free to fall in love |
| amounts of each one, and by all means take your | | | | with a bottle or two and adopt it! |
| time. | | | | By the way, would you believe that there are people |
| Now you get to find out one of the mysteries of | | | | who do this for a living? There are people blessed |
| wine: why do they use those funny-shaped glasses? | | | | with "perfect pitch" in tasting, who take courses and |
| Well, when you get a new glass of wine, swirl it | | | | get a diploma and everything, and then wineries hire |
| around gently just like you see the aristocrats do. | | | | them to give their expert opinion about the wine. |
| Now hold the glass still. Watch the edge of the liquid | | | | How's that for the life? |