Love wine, but never tried wine tasting? The expansive world of wine can appear overwhelming to novices, and terms like “earthy” and “oxidized” might not come naturally to you the first time you sip wine in a formal setting. However, you may be surprised to learn that wine tasting isn’t as complex as it seems. If you’re thinking about attending a wine tasting at a local restaurant or bar, consider these four tips. 

4 Tips for Beginning Wine Tasters

1. Learn the Lingo

Wine tasting has its own language. Uncommon words are often used to describe the tastes and aromas of wines. Familiarizing yourself with some of these words ahead of time will help you to join in the conversation. You can find lists of wine tasting terminology online and even purchase books to see some of the most common words and phrases and what they mean. 

2. Make Knowledgeable Friends

Learning about wine is much easier with the guidance of someone who knows a little bit about it already. Don’t know where to start? Many bars and restaurants have sommeliers on staff. Sommeliers are trained wine professionals that work with restaurants to help with wine selections and food pairings. If you’re serious about wanting to learn about wine tasting, a sommelier is an excellent resource. 

3. Learn the Basics of the Process

There are four main steps to wine tasting: appearance, smell, taste, and aftertaste. Use all of your senses to formulate an opinion on the wine you’re tasting. Before you try it yourself, consider attending a wine tasting to observe the process first. 

4. Practice

Practice at home with a bottle of wine, or sneak in some practice the next time you have wine at a restaurant. Pick up the glass and give it a slight tilt. Look at the color variations. The colors tell a story of their own. For example, a red wine that has a brownish tinge may be older. Give it a sniff. Smell primes your pallet for the flavors. Swirl the glass and smell again. The swirling allows oxygen into the wine and enhances the smell. Take a small sip, but don’t swallow right away. Allow the flavors to linger on your tongue before swishing it around your mouth. Swallow the wine, or spit it out and wait. Think about the aftertaste. A high-quality wine should linger on the pallet for 15 to 20 seconds. 

When you’re ready for your first wine tasting, head over to the Bungalow Inn in Lakeland, MN. They hold wine tasting events every second Thursday of the month for $15, complete with an appetizer buffet and live music. This is ideal for beginners seeking a casual environment to try new wines. Stop by their Facebook page to learn more about their events, view their menu online, or call them today at (651) 436-5005 to RSVP for their monthly wine tasting.