Ever wondered how sommeliers can unravel every nuance of a wine with just one sip? Whether you're a curious beginner or a seasoned enthusiast, learning to taste wine like an expert can completely elevate your experience.

The best part? It's not as complicated as it seems! By following a few simple steps, you'll be on your way to mastering the art of wine tasting.

Ready to learn how to taste wine like a pro? Let’s dive in!

 

First, the visual

Wine tasting begins with your eyes. Start by noting a few key aspects:
 

Color and intensity:

Tilt your glass against a white background to get a clear look at the wine's color. This can reveal clues about the wine's age, grape variety, and structure. White wines range from pale yellow to golden, rosés vary from light pink to salmon, and reds go from bright red in younger wines to deep purple or brick tones in older ones. For example, our 2023 Côtes du Rhône Rosé displays a clear, bright amber-pink hue, reflecting its freshness and liveliness. Meanwhile, our Arcane le Pape, a 2010 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, shows brick-orange tones, hinting at its age and complexity.

Clarity:

Here, you're looking at the transparency of the wine. A clear, brilliant wine typically suggests good quality and proper filtration. Cloudy wines or those with sediment can indicate either an older, robust wine or a less filtered one. However, don't be quick to judge—especially with the rise of natural wines, which often embrace unfiltered, cloudy appearances without compromising quality.

Color nuances:

The shade of the wine can offer insight into its grape variety and origin. For example, the Arcane le Diable, made from 100% Mourvèdre, exhibits a deep, intense color due to the grape’s thicker skins, which are rich in anthocyanins—the pigments responsible for red wine hues. In contrast, with its thinner skins and lower pigment levels, Pinot Noir tends to produce wines with a lighter, more delicate color.

 

Smell: The explosion of aromas

Smelling the wine is crucial for identifying its characteristics and aromas. Before doing so, gently swirling the wine in the glass is often helpful to release its volatile aromas. This helps the aromatic compounds to diffuse, revealing the wine's complexity. Then, bring the glass to your nose and take a gentle inhale to detect:
 

Primary aromas:

These come directly from the grape and are typically associated with the variety used. You’ll often find fruity notes: young white wines usually feature citrus and tropical fruits, rosés give off red fruits and floral notes, while young reds showcase red and black fruits, sometimes with a hint of spice.

Secondary aromas:

These are linked to the winemaking process. Fresh bread or yeast aromas may suggest a specific fermentation technique, while hints of vanilla or toast indicate oak aging. Identifying these winemaking techniques isn’t always easy. For instance, our Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge exhibits complex notes due to its aging in various vessels: large oak barrels, stainless steel tanks, conical vats, and terracotta jars.

Tertiary aromas:

These develop as the wine ages in the bottle. Notes of leather, tobacco, or mushrooms are typical in mature wines. For example, our 2010 Arcane le Pape - Châteauneuf-du-Pape reveals rich and complex tertiary aromas after five years of aging in hyper-reductive conditions.

Swirl the wine in your glass to aerate it and release even more aromas, offering a fuller and richer sensory experience.

 

Taste: evaluating the wine on the palate

Take a small sip and let the wine sit in your mouth for a few seconds to allow the flavors to unfold fully. Then, try to identify the different taste notes—wines can evoke a wide range of fruits, spices, and other nuanced aromas.

Next, evaluate the wine’s structure. The texture in your mouth or body, can range from light to full. Acidity brings brightness, tannins (in reds) add a slight astringency and texture, and alcohol contributes to the wine’s weight and warmth.
 

Appreciating the texture

The texture of a wine is just as important as its flavor.

Viscosity and density:

Take a sip and focus on how the wine feels on the palate. A wine with higher viscosity often indicates a higher alcohol content or residual sugar. This can give the wine a richer, more substantial palate.

Tannins :

Particularly relevant for red wines, tannins create a sensation of dryness or slight roughness, similar to what you experience when drinking strong black tea. Tannins also suggest the wine's aging potential—a wine with strong tannins can often improve over time.

Finish :

After swallowing or spitting, note how long the flavors linger on your palate. A long, lingering finish usually signifies a well-structured, high-quality wine with complexity.

 

Practical tips for an optimal tasting experience

To get the most out of your wine tasting, a few practical tips can make all the difference.
 

Serving temperature:

The temperature at which you serve your wine can significantly impact its aromas and flavors. White wines are best enjoyed between 8°C and 12°C to maintain their freshness. Red wines should be served between 14°C and 16°C to bring out their full complexity. On the other hand, sparkling wines are best served well-chilled, between 6°C and 8°C, for a refreshing experience.

Aeration :

Some wines benefit from aeration before tasting. For young, robust wines, use a decanter to soften their tannins and release their aromas. For more delicate wines, simply letting them sit in the glass for a few minutes can allow the aromas to open up and enhance the tasting experience.

Glass selection:

The shape of your glass plays a significant role in how you perceive aromas and taste. Choose the right glass for each wine: larger, more open glasses for reds, narrower glasses for whites, and flutes for sparkling wines.

Tasting order:

The order in which you taste your wines can also impact your experience. Start with sparkling wines to cleanse your palate, then move on to lighter whites, followed by rosés, and finish with fuller-bodied reds. This progression helps your palate adjust to increasingly intense flavors.

Pairings:

During a tasting, have neutral accompaniments like bread or breadsticks on hand to cleanse your palate between wines. Also, keep some still water nearby to stay hydrated and refresh your mouth. These small steps will help you better appreciate each wine you taste.

 

Ready to put these tasting tips to the test? Don’t wait to start tasting wine like a pro. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned enthusiast, these techniques will help you enjoy the subtleties of the wines you love even more.

 

Cheers!