Evaluating Wines

Not a wine connoisseur? No problem.

You don't have to be an expert to enjoy the simple pleasures of wine. Each time you try a new vintage, follow these steps to enhance your appreciation and enjoyment of wine.

1. Look: The first step is to hold the glass by the stem and look through the wine against a white background to enjoy the true color. The wine should be clear, not hazy or cloudy.

2. Swirl: To get the full aroma of the wine, fill a large wine glass halfway and swirl the wine around in the glass . This releases the aroma to the top of the glass. Each wine variety has particular aromas that are normally associated with it.

3. Smell: Inhale and try to identify what you smell. Do you smell fruit or spices? You might find hints of familiar smells like citrus, apple, plums, pineapple, raspberries, flowers, tobacco, or chocolate. The aroma will vary depending on the type and source of grapes, blending methods and other winemaking techniques. Complex and pleasant aromas are qualities of better wines.

4. Taste: Roll the wine around in your mouth and let it reach all your taste buds. Like aroma, the taste should be appropriate for the grape varietal and style of wine. If the wine makes you pucker, it may be a little tart (high in acids) or tannic (think dry like banana skins and tea leaves); if it feels hot and burns a little, it may have high alcohol content; if none of these elements overwhelm you, it is well-balanced . A wine that lingers in your mouth and throat after you swallow is a sign of good length and body . This is also know as finish.