How to taste wine: tips and Bonton

Whenever you are drinking with your friends or you are simply sipping on your glass of Amarone della Valpolicella Classico on your own, you should know that drinking wine is no amateur action. In fact, tasting wine is a delicate art that requires much attention, and, especially if you are going to taste more refined wines, you need to follow certain etiquette.

These rules are strictly connected to how to enhance better all the tastes in the wine and provide yourself with a better experience. Even though it must feel a little bit overwhelming, these rules are not made to make you feel closed off: instead, they are small tips and suggestions that will help you to understand better the wine that is in front of you. By following this ‘bon ton’ of wine, you will be able to become immediately a connoisseur of the art of wine.

how to taste wine alone

Wine is usually seen as an activity that should be done while we are together with our friends, and loved ones, or even at formal events. However, this could not be the farthest thing from the truth: in fact, there are many occasions when a good Meditation wine could help us unwind and feel better, after a long day of work. But how to taste wine like a real connoisseur on its own, without any food or other people to help us decipher the taste? Luckily, there are a few rules to follow in these cases, so you will slowly learn how to sip and taste real wines and, most importantly, appreciate them.

The first rule that you need to follow is that a sip is more than sufficient to learn and taste a wine, so don’t feel like you should drink too much on your first taste, in order to comprehend the wine fully. Secondly, you should have a little taste by drinking the wine as you were sipping on a straw. Then, don’t be too quick on drinking it straight away, but let it sit on your palate for a while.

Lastly, but most importantly, you should let it move and aerate in your mouth, maybe swirl it a little bit and move it, so that you can let it feel on your entire palate and let it breathe. Only in this way, you will be able to get all the beautiful notes of the wine and fully appreciate it.

how to taste wine during an aperitif

Now that you know the general rules about how to taste wine like a pro on your own, just sipping your glass and enough, you are ready to help with your knowledge of all the people around you. So, now, when you are going to sip a nice Red Italian wine during an aperitif with your friends, you know the basics, but hold on, because you still have many other things to know, about tasting wine. In fact, during an aperitif, there are many other rules that you should know and follow, in order to enhance the full potential of a wine.

Begin by observing the color and clarity of the wine, as this can give clues as to the grape variety and age. Then, swirl the glass to release the aromas and take a deep sniff to identify any fruit or spice notes. Finally, take a sip and let the wine sit on your palate for a few seconds before swallowing to fully taste the flavor and note any tannins or acidity. Remember to cleanse your palate between wines with water and crackers to ensure a true tasting experience.

how to taste wine during a formal dinner

When attending a formal dinner, it’s important to know how to taste wine properly. First, hold the glass by the stem to avoid warming the wine with your hands. Look at the color of the wine and take note of its shade and clarity. Swirl the wine in the glass to release its aroma and take a sniff. Pay attention to the different notes you can detect. Finally, take a small sip and let it linger in your mouth for a few seconds before swallowing.

Again, take note of the different flavors you can taste. If you’re having multiple wines throughout the meal, make sure to cleanse your palate with water in between. Don’t hesitate to ask the sommelier or host for assistance, especially when selecting wines to pair with each course. Overall, tasting wine during a formal dinner is a simple yet essential skill for enjoying the full experience of each wine.