Learn how to taste wine like a professional: One of many to come fun and instructive videos

Summary

Lauren Thiele, a wine specialist, walks viewers through the art of tasting wine like a professional. She introduces three local wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Sémillon, guiding through key steps like visual inspection, aroma analysis, and taste testing. Lauren explains how to assess wine's color, legs, and intensity, and provides tips on detecting various aromas. She also demonstrates how to experience tannins, acidity, and body in wine, using analogies like milk to help viewers understand the sensations. This tutorial offers both practical advice and a deeper understanding of wine tasting, aimed at elevating your wine experience.

Takeaways

• 😀 Takeaway 1: The importance of visual inspection when tasting wine, including looking for tartrates and evaluating the 'legs' or 'tiers' that form due to alcohol and sugar content.
• 😀 Takeaway 2: Swirling wine in the glass helps release aromas, which can be smelled more intensely as the wine volatilizes.
• 😀 Takeaway 3: The appearance of the wine in the glass, including its color and transparency, provides clues about its type and intensity, such as differentiating between light and full-bodied wines.
• 😀 Takeaway 4: Using a piece of paper with writing under the glass helps assess the opacity of the wine, which can indicate the type of wine (e.g., lighter wines like Pinot Noir versus darker wines like Zinfandel).
• 😀 Takeaway 5: Aroma differences between wines, such as dark cherry and blackberry in Cabernet Sauvignon, apple and baking spices in Chardonnay, and apple/pear notes in Sémillon.
• 😀 Takeaway 6: Tasting wine involves washing your palate with an initial sip, followed by a second sip to fully experience the wine's flavors and tannin sensation.
• 😀 Takeaway 7: Tannins in wine can be felt as a drying sensation, particularly in wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, which have higher tannin levels compared to wines like Pinot Noir.
• 😀 Takeaway 8: The 'body' of a wine can be likened to milk—lighter wines are like low-fat milk, while fuller-bodied wines, like Chardonnay, are more like cream.
• 😀 Takeaway 9: Acidity in wine is especially noticeable with wines like Sémillon, which creates a sensation under the tongue and along the sides of the mouth.
• 😀 Takeaway 10: Wine tasting involves training your palate to detect different flavors such as sweet, sour, salty, and umami, helping you experience the wine like a professional.

Q & A

What is the first step in tasting wine like a professional?

The first step is to observe the wine visually. This involves swirling the wine in the glass to look for 'legs' or 'tears' (streaks that form on the glass), which indicate the wine's alcohol and sugar content, as well as the overall clarity and color of the wine.

What are 'legs' or 'tears' in wine, and what do they indicate?

The 'legs' or 'tears' are streaks that form on the inside of the glass after the wine is swirled. They are caused by the evaporation of alcohol and water at different rates. The more pronounced the legs, the higher the alcohol and sugar content in the wine.

Why is it recommended to tilt the glass when examining wine?

Tilting the glass forward allows you to observe the core of the wine more clearly. This also helps you assess its intensity and color, which can give clues about the wine’s age and body.

How can you use a piece of paper to assess a wine's transparency?

By placing a piece of paper with text behind the wine glass, you can assess its clarity. If the text is visible through the wine, it indicates a lighter wine, such as Pinot Noir. If the text is obscured, it suggests a fuller-bodied wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel.

What role does the wine's aroma play in tasting?

The aroma of the wine plays a crucial role in identifying its characteristics. Swirling the wine in the glass releases aromatic compounds, which can reveal primary aromas (from the grape), secondary aromas (from winemaking techniques), and tertiary aromas (from aging).

What are some common aromas you might find in a Cabernet Sauvignon?

Common aromas in a Cabernet Sauvignon include dark cherry, blackberry, and herbal notes, which are characteristic of the grape variety.

How does barrel aging affect the aroma of Chardonnay?

Chardonnay aged in oak barrels tends to develop warmer, richer aromas like baking spices, vanilla, and buttery notes due to the interaction with the wood. Lightly toasted barrels contribute these characteristics, enhancing the wine's complexity.

What is the significance of tasting the wine on different parts of the tongue?

Tasting the wine on different parts of the tongue helps you identify specific elements like sweetness, acidity, and tannins. Sweetness is detected on the tip, acidity on the sides, and tannins are felt as a drying sensation on the gums and teeth.

Why does the sensation of tannins vary between different wines?

Tannins are compounds found primarily in red wines, and they contribute a drying sensation. Wines with higher tannin content, like Cabernet Sauvignon, tend to have a stronger drying effect, while wines like Pinot Noir have softer tannins, resulting in a smoother mouthfeel.

What is meant by the 'body' of the wine, and how can you describe it?

The body of the wine refers to its weight and texture on the palate. It is often compared to milk: a light-bodied wine is similar to skim milk, while a full-bodied wine is like cream. The body can be influenced by factors like alcohol content and the presence of oak.

How does acidity affect the experience of tasting a white wine like Sémillon?

Acidity in white wines like Sémillon gives them a fresh, crisp character and creates a mouthwatering sensation. This is usually felt under the tongue or on the sides of the tongue. Acidity can balance out the sweetness and make the wine feel more vibrant and refreshing.

How does a wine’s finish contribute to its overall quality?

A wine's finish refers to how long its flavors linger after you swallow. A longer, more complex finish often indicates a higher-quality wine, as it suggests the wine's flavors evolve and leave a lasting impression.