• Article Author: Cicilia Guasconi
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Wine Tasting

You are out on a nice Saturday evening, dining in a fine restaurant with a hot date. The evening had been going well, and now its time to order a bottle of wine. When the waiter brought a bottle for tasting, your date noticed that you have been sweating badly that she asks you what the matter is. Will you tell her? Of course not especially if you do not know anything about wine selection. Few know the art of wine tasting.

For those who seldom drink wine, choosing the best bottle perfect for a date entails a difficult decision to make, especially if you want to impress her with a fancy dinner at a classy restaurant. Avoid embarrassment by following these simple tips to become a pro in wine tasting:

1.     Color Intensity. When the waiter brings you the bottle of wine, inspect the wine color, as soon as he pours you a glass. Experts agree that color can gauge for the quality of the wine as well as the place where it originates. You might want to tilt your wineglass, and take notice of the contrasting color between your table napkins against the wine. The intensity of the wine color is more noticeable if you contrast it with a white background. Red wine tends to lose some color when it ages from deep purple to brick-color. The same with white wine, the color deepened as it ages. The color will also tell the grape variety used.  Give your wine glass a swirl, the more legs you saw inside the wineglass-or the suspended oily film inside the glass, the higher the alcohol content it contains.

2.     Check the smell. Give your wineglass another swirl, let the wine settle in, and inhale. Take note how the wine smells; if it gives off a scent of citrus and other fruity flavors, most probably it is a young wine while old wines tend to give off a complex smell of oaks and earth.  A nice smell indicates a good bottle.

3.     Taste. Swirl your glass again and take a sip. Do not judge the wine first as it touches the tip of your tongue. Give it a slurp, getting the full flavors inside your mouth. Note how it feels and if it will taste good with your meal. Let the wine warm inside your mouth as it takes time for the flavors to develop.

4.     Wine Finish. As you swallow the wine, it will tell you the kind of finish or sensation on your throat. Observe carefully for any alcohol taste and the time the wine taste will linger on your mouth after you swallow. Experts call it finish. The longer time wine lingers on your mouth and throat, the better.

These simple tips will help you pass your first wine tasting with colors. How you do it without getting too much attention will make you a look like a pro. Just remember to be more observant and use your senses to choose the perfect bottle for your date.