Wine Basics - Understanding Wine Flavours

Wine tasting can be an enjoyable and enlightening experience, especially for those new to the world of wine. Understanding the flavours of different types of wine can be overwhelming, but with a little knowledge and practice, you can learn to appreciate and enjoy wine on a deeper level! Here's a beginner's guide to understanding wine flavours to get you started.

Appearance: Before tasting the wine, examine its appearance. Look at the colour and clarity of the wine. Swirl the wine in the glass to observe the viscosity or “legs” on the side of the glass. This can give you a clue about the body of the wine and its alcohol content.

Aroma: The aroma of wine can reveal a lot about its flavours. Take a few sniffs of the wine and try to identify the aromas. Common wine aromas include fruity, floral, herbal, spicy, and earthy notes.

Taste: When tasting wine, start by taking a small sip and letting it sit in your mouth for a few seconds. Then, swish the wine around your mouth to fully experience the flavours. Note the sweetness, acidity, tannins, and alcohol content of the wine.

Flavour: The flavour of wine is a combination of its aromas and taste. Try to identify the primary flavours, such as fruit or floral notes, and secondary flavours, such as oak or cherry.

Finish: The finish of a wine is the aftertaste that lingers in your mouth after swallowing. Note the length and intensity of the finish, which can indicate the wine's complexity and quality.

Pairing: The flavours of wine can be enhanced or diminished by the food you pair it with. Experiment with different food and wine pairings to find the perfect combination.

Practice: Like with anything else, practice makes perfect! The more you practice wine tasting, the more you will develop your palate and be able to identify different flavours and aromas. Attend wine tastings or try different types of wine at home to expand your knowledge and appreciation of wine.

You might even want to immerse yourself in the world of wine and gather your friends for a visit to some of Australia’s top wineries or some of these amazing wine events in 2023. Wine tasting can be a fun and educational experience, especially for beginners. Understanding these 6 little things can help you appreciate and enjoy wine on a deeper level. Start with the basics, and soon you'll be able to identify the subtleties and complexities of different types of wine!