The 101 On Everything You Need To Know On How To Properly Wine Taste

The 101 On Everything You Need To Know On How To Properly Wine Taste

Wine tasting is a lot of fun, but are you doing it properly? Remember the 5 s's and you will be a pro in no time.

Hey everyone! I just want to start out by saying by no means do I claim to be a pro at this thing called wine tasting. Im still pretty young and have a lot to learn. Every Friday night at Kane's from 5-8pm we hold a free wine tasting. I have to say I'm pretty lucky, I get to try a new wine every Friday night! However, there are soooo many wines and we just can't try them all. (or could we?? haha) So, over the years I like to think I've learned a thing or two.

One thing that I know for a fact is that going wine tasting with your friends is one of the funnest activities you can do if of course you are old enough to do it. (And PLEASE if you are visiting multiple vineyards make sure you have a designated driver! It's never okay to drink and drive don't be dumb.) Wether you are in Sherwood Oregon visiting Ponzi Vineyard with 20 of your closest friends, at a Bachelorette party in the Finger Lakes hoping around vineyards with 6 of your girls, or you are at Kane's Fine Wine and Spirits in downtown Saratoga Springs NY, wine tasting is always a good time. But are you doing it right?

Follow these 5 s's and become a pro at wine tasting.

Step 1- See the wine

The first step may seem unnecessary to some but it is important to see the color of the wine. Begin by holding your clear wine glass up towards a white wall so you can get a clearer view of the color of the wine. It doesn't matter what type of wine you are drinking...just do it.

Experts say that Red wines should range in color from deep purple to brick red, while White wines should range in color from lemon gold to golden amber.

Step 2- Swirl the wine

The second step is swirling the wine in your wine glass. This aerates the wine. For those of you that are new to this its okay...this means that the air gets to the wine and lets it breathe. Did you know this is important because it helps lessen the younger wines acidity? (and lets be honest who wants acidic wine? NO ONE!!!) So please swirl your wine.

Step 3- Sniff the wine

Okay, so the third step is to sniff the wine. To be honest, If you are anything like me and have a hard time smelling things and identifying what the smell might be, this might be a harder step to for you. However, over the years I have learned soooo much and I now realize this is probably one of the most important steps, if not the most important, in properly wine tasting. So with that said, put your nose in your wine glass and sniff away.

What do you smell? It's crazy to me how much your smell connects to your tastebuds. Do you smell that passion fruit or peach? That just maybe a Sauvignon Blanc! Which by the way, are my favorite to drink on the porch on a nice summer night in Saratoga Springs. (#spoiler our favorite right now is the new Invivo x SJP and we are patiently waiting for the new rosé!! Hurry spring..Picture of Sauv Blanc below)

On the real, it is said that older wines should have subtler aromas than younger ones.

Step 4- Sip the wine

FINALLY the step we have all been waiting for, SIP the wine! The wine experts say to fill your mouth about ½ full and subtly swish the wine around. But hey I told you I was not an expert, so at Kane's we drink the wine and don't let it go to waste!!

Step 5- Savor the wine

This final step is all about enjoying the wine. So however you are doing your wine tasting just make sure to savor every sip and enjoy!

I hope everyone enjoyed my first blog! We really love being your neighborhood liquor store and love the fact that so many of our customers WALK down every Friday night to taste new wines with us! Cheers!