As we continue our journey through the art of wine tasting, there are still plenty of pitfalls that even the most seasoned wine enthusiasts might encounter. Avoiding these common missteps will elevate your wine experience, allowing you to savor every drop to its fullest potential. Here are seven more things to watch out for during your next tasting adventure:
Holding the Wine Glass Incorrectly
It may seem minor, but how you hold your wine glass can affect the temperature of the wine.
Holding the bowl of the glass with your hand can warm up the wine, especially whites and sparkling wines that are meant to be enjoyed chilled. It also means you may add finger prints to the glass, which on top of looking greasy, will keep you from seeing the hue and clarity of the wine. Instead, hold the glass by the stem. That's what stems are for!.
Ignoring Vintage Variations
It’s easy to fall into the habit of sticking with a particular label or brand, but every vintage is different. Climate conditions vary each year, significantly affecting the flavor profile and quality of the wine. Tasting different vintages from the same producer can be an enlightening experience, allowing you to witness the dynamic nature of wine. Don’t just grab the same bottle year after year — explore and compare! And certainly take this into account when you are using the popular app Vivino, as it tends to lump all the vintages of the same wine into one rating, which completely misses vintage variation.
Not letting the wine breathe
Some wines need time to open up. Wines with high tannins or complex structures, especially certain reds, might taste harsh or tight right out of the bottle. Give them time to breathe. Decanting the wine or letting it sit in the glass for a few minutes can help open up the flavors and make for a more enjoyable tasting.
If you want to decant in style, we recommend the stunning Riedel Ultra Single decanter. If you don't have one a decanter on hand, you can always double decant (ie pour into another vessel, and then back into the original bottle)
Not Drinking Enough Water
Wine tasting can be dehydrating, especially if you’re tasting several wines in one session. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the tasting to stay hydrated. This not only prevents dehydration but also helps cleanse your palate between sips, allowing you to fully appreciate each wine. And of course, means that you will feel right as rain the next morning if you're drinking in moderation.
Drinking on an Empty Stomach
It may be tempting to dive right into a tasting session, but consuming wine on an empty stomach is a recipe for disaster. Not only does it increase the likelihood of feeling the effects of alcohol faster, but it also inhibits your ability to properly assess the wine. Have a light meal or some snacks beforehand to ensure you can savor each sip with a clear head. In the wine industry, we say the best time to organize a tasting is around 11am. The coffee has left your palate, breakfast was a few hours ago, and you're ready to make the most of your wines.
Making blanket assumptions about wine
The number of people I have met who claim they hate Chardonnay, but order Chablis is astounding! Chablis is 100% Chardonnay, so I love to show people the versatility of wine and a certain variety. Keep an open mind, and consider hosting a blind tasting! cover the bottles and see which wines you prefer. You may be surprised!
If you're interested in finding out how to make the most of each glass of wine, and taste like an expert, join us for one of our masterclasses.
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