Tasting Tips to Elevate the Experience
Wine tasting should never be intimidating. Whether you are opening a bottle at home or tasting at a winery there are a few things to know to help you taste like a pro.
What are the 4 S’s of wine?
See, Swirl, Sniff, & Sip – this is your guide to wine tasting.
SEE – check out the color and clarity of the wine by tilting your glass against a white or light-colored table or paper.
SWIRL – swirling the wine “wakes it up”. It has been stuck in the bottle for a while, and swirling opens the wine up. It gets more oxygen in to further release the flavors and aromas.
SNIFF – smelling wine gives you an indication of what’s in the glass. Don’t just wave the glass under your nose or stick your nose in and take a BIG sniff. The best way to smell is by taking a series of short, quick inhalations. Imagine a hound dog’s nose twitching as he sniffs out a scent.
SIP – (our favorite S) take a small sip in your mouth, swirl it around a bit to cover your entire palette then swallow. This gets wine on different parts of your tongue to get your taste buds working.
What is the 3 sip rule?
When tasting a wine for the first time it generally takes 3 sips to really evaluate the wine.
The first sip can be sort of a shock
The second sip helps you begin to get acclimated
By the third sip you are really “getting it”
When should our wines be consumed?
All wine has a limit to how long it is ideal to drink before it peaks and begins its decline. M Cellars White and Rosé wines are meant to be opened and enjoyed within a couple of years. While some of our reds such as Meritage and Pinot Noir will age well from 5 to 10+ years we encourage you to drink and enjoy them now!
Should we save any wines for a special occasion?
At M Cellars, our philosophy is wine is meant to be opened and enjoyed and anytime you share a bottle of wine with family or friends it IS a special occasion!
Ready to put these ideas into practice? Stop by the tasting room, enjoy a flight, and give it a try!
