Wine tasting for beginners: is it possible to learn from home?

In the times of global pandemic and quarantines, a vast array of new interests have awakened across society. Many individuals have attempted to fill their spare hours by nurturing their interests and learning new hobbies. Online courses have emerged as one of the best methods to delve deeper into that which sparks our curiosity, presenting a breadth of possibilities far greater than one might initially imagine. In particular, the art and science of wine tasting have witnessed a significant boom in these recent months.

Contrary to common assumptions associating wine connoisseurship with high purchasing power, wine tasting need not be an expensive endeavor. Are you also intrigued by the prospect of learning to appreciate wines? In this article, we will guide you through the preliminary steps that you need to undertake to embark on this fascinating hobby.

Preliminary Advice for Enjoying the Wine Tasting Experience

There are myriad different wines, each varying in their methods of production, grape varieties, and geographical origins. It's clear that while one doesn't need to be an expert to enjoy wine, having a disposition to appreciate it adds to the overall experience. Of course, individual preferences vary greatly - a certain type of wine may or may not align with your tastes.

The key to appreciating a wine lies in paying close attention to what you are drinking, setting aside potential prejudices, and immersing yourself in the diverse flavors. While the quality of a wine can always spark debate, personal preferences are unquestionably subjective. The ability to discern the subtle nuances of wine can be acquired through experience.

Therefore, the joy of sipping a glass of wine is accessible to everyone. From this point onwards, if you pay attention each time you drink wine, you will gradually develop a taste for it, which will amplify the pleasure derived from the experience. You can start by including a bottle of wine in your weekly shopping and take the first steps towards becoming a wine tasting expert. As time goes on, you can delve deeper into this hobby through courses, guides, or even private oenology lessons with platforms like Superprof, where professionals in the field can provide everything you need to learn. Thus, you too can become an expert and share this hobby with your family and friends.

Getting Started with Wine Tasting

Wine tasting involves engaging our senses. Three of them are fundamental: taste, smell, and sight. To utilize these, we need the subject of our judgment - the wine, of course. You can purchase wine from your local supermarket or even an online wine shop, and it is recommended to buy two different bottles of the same type of wine. We use two different wines so that, by comparing them, it is easier to perceive certain distinguishing features; if tasted at separate times, our sensory memory may not allow for an accurate comparison.

When it comes to selecting wines, a straightforward way is to start by determining how much you wish to spend on each bottle. The beauty of regions like Spain, one of the world's largest wine producers, is that there are myriad options and the price, within moderate ranges, is generally indicative of the quality on offer.

The next step is to decide the type of wine you wish to sample: red, white, rose, sweet, or sparkling. To accurately discern the differences between the two wines, it's advisable to select two wines of the same type (for example, red), from the same price range, of the same vintage, and from the same geographical region, but made from two different varietals like Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mencia, Monastrell, etc.

The serving temperature of the wine is a crucial factor. While it's a common saying that red wines should be consumed at room temperature, the ideal serving temperature is actually around 17 degrees Celsius, easily achieved if the bottle is refrigerated about an hour before consumption. If the glass fogs up when the wine is poured, it signifies that the wine is too cold and needs to be warmed slightly. Drinking a red wine that's too cold can be aggressive and harsh on the palate; hence, a more moderate temperature is recommended. In contrast, white, rosé, sweet, and sparkling wines are better served cold; their ideal temperatures can range between 6 and 14 degrees Celsius, depending on their individual characteristics. They can be served straight from the refrigerator and allowed to reach the perfect temperature over time. Always serve wines in narrow-mouthed glasses, as their typical shape helps retain the wine's aromas. Wide-mouthed glasses can cause the aromas to disperse, reducing the intensity of the flavor.

Now, the moment has come to taste the wine. First, assess the wine's appearance, color, and intensity with your sight. The color can indicate the wine's age, generally bright and bluish for young wines, deep red for medium-aged wines, or a tile color for more mature wines. However, the most exciting part comes through smell and taste. Through these, compare the contents of the two glasses and try to relate them to familiar scents and flavors: fruity, spicy, woody, floral, etc. Sharing these experiences with others and exchanging opinions can be especially enriching. Plus, these senses can be trained over time, broadening the spectrum of sensations we can perceive. Enjoy the journey of wine tasting, for it's one of continual learning, exploration, and, above all, pleasure.