How To Pick Your Wine Like a Pro

First....Prepare, prepare, prepare!  Prior to tasting different wines make sure to avoid coffee, sodas or any other strongly flavored food or drinks!!!  Also avoid any heavy perfume or cologne---it can overpower the wine's aromatic features.  Pour the wine into a glass about 1/3 full and freely swirl to expose it to oxygen which opens up it's aromas and flavors.  Grasping the bowl of the glass can affect its temperature so hold the glass by the stem with your thumb and forefinger.

Second...The Eyes Have It! Color can tell you a lot about a wine.  Hold your glass at angle against a white background.  A young red wine may have deep dark purple colors while an older aged red wine will have brownish or brick colors.  A deep golden white wine may suggest barrel aging or an older wine.

Third...The Nose Knows! Grasp the stem of the glass base while keeping it on the table and give the glass a good swirl. Place your nose in the glass and deeply inhale a couple of whiffs.  You are identifying fruit characteristics...berry or stone fruit; earth...soil, mushrooms; vegetation...herbs, green veggies; nuts...almonds, walnuts; or wood influence...oak, smokiness. "Off" aromas of vinegar, wet paper or nail polish remover are signs that the wine has issues.

Fourth....Sip and Savor! When you sip it's important to let the wine reach all areas of your mouth.  Sweet, salty, sour and bitter taste elements are in different areas of the palate.  Assessing the levels of flavors, tannins, body and acidity should be your goal. Flavors should correspond with the aromas you've evaluated,  Does the flavor disappear quickly or linger?  Faint, rich or bold flavors??? Tannins are astringent and can dry your mouth and gums.  Body is the weight of the wine in your mouth.  Does the Acidity make the wine mouth watering?

Finally....Time to Make a Decision!  This is where your overall impressions come into play.  Think about the balance of acidity, tannin, fruit flavors...are they in balance?   Do any over power the others?  Does the wine feel rich or delicate?  Can you sense the quality?  Once, you've come up with your conclusions, it's purchase time!!  Cheers!!! 


Linda Shank Broker Owner Linda Shank and Company is a 32 year real estate veteran in Phoenix's Southeast Valley.  Contact her at www.ISellAZSunshine.com