“We are wise when we drink well: those who can’t drink, know nothing.”,
that’s one of the quotes about wine of the poet Nicolas Boileau most used by winelovers. Now, why is so important know how to drink and taste? And, above all, what do you need to know to start?
Find it out in this little guide with some tips given by sommelier and experts!
1) CHOOSE A SILENT PLACE AND KEEP INTENSE SCENTS AWAY
Try to arouse the senses of smell and taste in the best possible way. Avoid distractions and relax in a cozy and warm place with a balanced and suitable lighting: this is the only way to see the true color of the wine you’re about to drink!
2) DON’T OVERFILL THE WINE GLASS!
Once the bottle is open, you can get an idea of the wine by smelling it. Don’t forget that you don’t need to fill the glass completely, but only a quarter. In this way you can incline it slightly and appreciate the bouquet and the wine body.
Another relevant device is, don’t forget to choose the right wine glass! Sommeliers have a wine glass for each type of wine, but if you’re starting out you can comply with the most common rule: red wine has to be poured out in wide glasses and white wine in narrower glasses.
3) TAKE A SIP OF WINE AND TAKE A MOMENT TO THINK
Shake the glass, take a sip and hold the wine in your mouth. Take your time and taste it: that’s how you’ll really feel its aftertaste. Now just keep sipping and try to notice and remember every scent you perceived. We’re almost there! Do you think that this wine is structured or light? Collect your impressions and compare with each other.
4) WRITE, STORE, COMPARE
At the end of each tasting, take note of the wine you tasted, feelings and features that stroke you the most. Use the terminology you prefer and feel free, only then you will really learn to recognize your tastes!
If you wish an exhaustive knowledge of the wine world, stop and talk or arrange a meeting with the winery workers or with an enologist. Theirs is much more than a job: it’s passion and- often- the fulfillment of a dream! Also for this reason they will surely be very pleased to share their knowledge of grapes and wine.