You’re likely to be passionate about wine if you just recently became one. These fun and functional wine tips and tricks will help you impress someone or to enjoy a wine tasting with friends.
These tips will help you increase your knowledge, but most importantly, have fun. Wine should be enjoyed. It isn’t easy to learn about wine because of its complexity. Although no one can become an expert overnight, these 11 fun and easy wine tricks will help you feel well on your way.
This is how you hold your wine glassYou don’t want to hold your wine glass by its bowl. It may seem pretentious, but it is important to hold your wine glass by its stem or base.
You can influence the temperature of a glass quickly by holding it near the bowl. If you hold your wine incorrectly, those who do the extra work to ensure it is at the right temperature will notice. It’s worth it.
Add “expressive” into your vocabulary
It is not possible to say “interesting” more than once, so you can use the term “expressive” wherever necessary. Use the term “expressive” if you are looking for a wine with a complex aroma.
Layer up – Wine Tasting Tips
Are you unsure what to wear for wine tasting? It’s not uncommon! Many people don’t know what the dress code for this event is. Don’t worry! I can help!
Many wine regions, particularly those in the well-known Sonoma and Napa wine regions, have large diurnal swings. This means that there is a large difference in daytime and evening temperatures. Here in Napa, for example, the nighttime temperatures can vary from 36 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the season. Be prepared!
Wine country chic is the dress code for wine tasting. Think bohemian, flowy dresses, big sunhats and lace with a variety of dressy tops. Consider what you would wear on a trendy vacation. It’s okay to wear nice denim, but not your ill-fitting jeans. A nice button-down shirt with nice pants is a great staple for men.
Consider where you are going to be wearing shoes and the type of experience you have booked. While some wineries offer luxurious tasting rooms, others provide a more in-depth look at the wine’s production process. Closed-toe shoes or flats are recommended if you plan to ride an ATV, or go out into the vineyard.
How to pack and bring wine tasting
You don’t want your day interrupted by wine tasting. You might want to take a bag with you to wine tasting. Consider these items when you go to the vineyards.
Bottled water – It is important to stay hydrated.
Sunscreen The sun can shine brightly if you are outside all day.
Snacks Cheese and crackers are always good choices, but fruits and nuts can also make a great accompaniment to wine. We’ll get to this more later.
Wine Wipes Keep your pearly whites shining, even after you’ve had red wine throughout the day!
Also, I recommend that you bring along one of Tirrinia’s Wine Carrier bags. These bags keep wine bottles safe from being damaged or moved around in your car. They also keep the temperature constant (we all know that drastic temperature changes can be very dangerous for wine bottles).
Always smell the wine for aromas
The wine aromas are so wonderful and make tasting so much more enjoyable. Research has shown that between 75% to 95% of what is commonly thought of as taste comes directly from our senses of smell.
Before tasting the wine, take a moment to smell it. While you don’t have to make any comments, take a mental note. You can later ask about the wine and look up information to see how close you came. You’ll become more skilled at identifying subtle smells as you gain experience.
Remember that some wines are more fragrant than others. Viognier, for example, is the most fragrant grape in the world. The 2017 Viognier has apricot and ginger aromas, as well as white flower and peach scents. This is the best Viognier you can find.
Spitting is encouraged, not just okay
You don’t have to spit on wine lovers. It’s okay to continue tasting the wines without feeling drowsy. Wine tasting events are all about the “tasting” experience.
Be familiar with words that are associated with specific types of wine
Chardonnays are your favorite wine. You might love Chardonnays. Syrahs will sound more knowledgeable if you use words like “fruity” or “jammy”.
Do you need some help understanding wine terminology? Wine Terms: What New Wine Drinkers Need to Know
Decant reds
A decanter is a practical prop for hosting a dinner or tasting party.
There are times when white wines can be decanted, but red wines should be decanted most often. Let certain wines breathe. It will make you appear more knowledgeable while also enhancing the wine’s flavor and aroma. It’s a win/win situation!
Decant an older wine (20+ years) immediately before you serve. You can usually serve most reds within an hour of decanting.
Three fingers are worth a lot
Know how much wine to pour when hosting. The three-finger pour, unless a guest asks otherwise, is the ideal amount of wine to ensure optimal flavor and aeration. You’ll also have more room to swirl the wine like an expert.
Keep a journal
You might consider going on a wine trip to try your fun wine trick. If so, bring your journal. You can use journaling to keep track of the wines you like and take note of key characteristics. These five steps should be followed when you are tasting new wines: see swirl, smell, and sip.
Learn the basics about wine pairings
It is another topic to discuss pairing wine and food. There are some things you should remember. In most cases, wine and food should be paired based on their weight. A light-bodied wine, for example, will go well with lighter foods. A Pinot Grigio is a great pairing for summery salads, chicken, and fish. Syrah, on the other hand, goes well with beef, grilled lamb, and smoked eggplant.
Now is the Time to Find Your Favorite
You don’t want to “fake” it until you make it. Now is the best time to begin exploring wine to find your favorite wines and to expand your knowledge. This fun and useful wine tricks guide should help you get started.
Sweet Oaks is proud that we offer Temecula Valley wines.