Wine Basics, How to Taste Wine, Wine 101

A guest just left the Interwined palace. This guest also reads this blog religiously.

After dinner with some wine importers, the guest declared the very same wine importers had "finally taught [this person] the correct way to drink wine."

Again, this person reads Interwined religiously.

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How to taste wine:

1. Sniff the empty wine glass. This will reveal if there is any left over soap or vinegar residue that would confound the wine's aromas and flavors.

2. Do not fill the glass past one-third full or one-fourths empty. This leaves enough wine to swirl, enough wine to get a decent sip.

3. Swirl the wine to release the aromas. Smell. Do this step before each sip to truly appreciate the way wine evolves as the alcohol evaporates (among the other chemical reactions that cause the wine to 'mature' in the glass).

4. Drink the wine and then suck in some air. This will evaporate the wine on your palate and release 'smells' for you to 'taste.'

5. Swallow the friggin' wine. Observe body, weight, finish. Or spit and observe how wine stains clothes when zurburred.

6. Skipping any of these steps will equal less enjoyment.

Now, let's get back to work.

P-S -- Ignore the cork, legs, robe, etc. Have little to do with wine drinking and only serve to confuse.