Using sensory characteristics of a wine, a wine tasting process is used to determine the overall quality of a wine. Since the beginning of the art of winemaking itself, this practise has been documented, with the first documented methods of formal wine tasting appearing in the 14th century. The method of tasting is a critical tool in the arsenal of any connoisseur’s collection of tools. In order to make the most of your wine tasting experience, there are several things you should be aware of before you head out to your first tasting session. When evaluating the flavour of a wine, the following are five of the most important factors to take into consideration.
Whenever tasting wine, the first thing to consider is the size of the glass in which the wine will be served. Using the same beverage in a larger format bottle will produce a more pronounced flavour than using the same beverage in a regular 750-ml bottle, for example. When it comes to wine tasting, it is always a good idea to ask questions before deciding which wine to taste. When purchasing wine, it is critical to become familiar with the product in order to make an informed decision. While you’re sipping on your glass of wine, don’t forget to drink plenty of water.
An additional consideration when tasting wine is the type of glass you are using to hold the wine. White wine glasses will be smaller than red wine glasses, so you’ll want to choose a glass with a wider mouth and bowl than you would for red wine to accommodate the smaller size of white wine glasses. Using this method, you will be able to gain a more complete understanding of the various flavours present in the wine you are tasting. If you’re drinking white wine, it’s best to use a glass with a narrower bowl to prevent spilling. As a result of this, the amount of air in the white wine will be reduced significantly.