Attending a wine tasting is an excellent way to learn what type of wine you enjoy and gain some information about the many kinds available. If you’ve never been to a tasting, you may be wondering what to do to make the event enjoyable. Here, Hidden Lake Winery in Aviston, IL, shares a few tips on having an amazing first tasting at their winery.

3 Ways to Have a Perfect Trip to the Winery

1. Eat Beforehand

The goal of a wine tasting is to savor the flavor of each blend. To make sure you’re feeling good throughout the day, eat something before you go. Many wineries also provide snacks that pair well with the wines and help you further understand how the flavors work with one another.

2. Learn the 5 S’s

To fully immerse yourself in the wine tasting experience, it’s essential to understand the five S’s:

• See: Inspect the color by holding the glass against a white wall or tablecloth. The intensity of the hue should match the flavor.
• Swirl: Lightly swirl the glass and look at the liquid to ascertain whether the flavor is light or dense. You may spot tiny bits of tannin indicating the wine was made with specific grapes or tiny wood bits from barrels that helped age the brew.
• Sniff: Smell the wine before you taste it. The aroma is just as important as the way the wine tastes. You may smell citrus, floral hints, or sweet aromas.
• Sip: Take a large sip and hold the wine in your mouth for several seconds. Once your taste buds activate, you’ll taste certain characteristics like sweet and bold or woody and dark flavors. 
• Savor: After that first sip, take a minute to breathe through your mouth. What flavors are left behind? You shouldn’t taste the alcohol, but instead a lingering hint of grapes, flowers, oak, or other unique wine ingredients.

3. Take Notes

Write down each wine to help you find the ones you liked after you leave the winery. Plus, the information you gain will help you learn about other wines you try at home or restaurants. Make a note of the flavors and aromas you noticed with each option as well.

When you visit a winery for the first time, you’ll learn about many different blends and flavors. Use the five S’s of wine tasting and make notes so you can remember everything when you leave. To set up a tour and tasting at Hidden Lake Winery & Banquet Center, call (618) 228-9111. Visit the website for information on their locally grown wine menu including semi-dry/semi-sweet, dry, and sweet wines. They also host events like weddings and other celebrations.