Sight, swirl, smell and sip. These are the four basic steps to wine tasting, but what are you actually looking for when you do these steps? Here is a basic guide to wine drinking and tasting.
When you are first trying a new wine, pour a small amount into a glass and tilt it at an angle. Color typically is a good indication of the age of the wines. As red wine ages, you will see hints of reddish-brown around the edges. White wines become more golden as they age.
Next, swirl the wine in the glass, which allows oxygen to flow through the liquid. Once you have done this, raise the glass to about an inch below the nose and inhale, taking in the scent of the wine. Smell and taste are very closely connected and the smell of each wine varies.
Tasting is the final step. Take a small sip and allow the flavors of the wine to touch your palette. Determine if the wine is sweet or dry, tart or acidic, or identify certain flavors that were used to make the wine.
Here are the basics in wines, the tastes they should represent and the best dishes to pair styles of wine with.
-Chardonnay
Tastes like: Tropical fruits, with a buttery finish. Medium-to-light-bodied dry wines
Best when paired with: pork, chicken, seafood, strong cheeses, turkey and salads
-Sauvignon Blanc
Tastes like: Citrus, tropical fruits, herbs, gooseberries. Tart and tangy
Best when paired with: salads, vegetables and fish
-Pinot Grigio (Gris)
Tastes like: lemons, green apples, pears, light-bodied. Medium-dry, fruity, crisp wines
Best when paired with: salads, light fish, light cheeses, white sauces and fish
-Riesling
Tastes like: apples, pears, flowers, minerals. Light-bodied and can range from dry to very sweet
Pair it with: fish, cheeses, chicken and desserts (for sweet Riesling)
-Cabernet Sauvignon
Tastes like: cassis, black currants, herbs, and ginger. Full-bodied and dry
Best when paired with: beef, lamb, stews gorgonzola cheese and dark chocolate
-Pinot Noir
Tastes like: cherries, strawberries, spices, flowers. Medium sweetness and heavy-to-medium-bodied
Best when paired with: salmon, tuna, pork and mushrooms
-Merlot
Tastes like: black cherries, plums, spices. Dry, heavy-to-medium-bodied wines with less acidity than most reds
Best when paired with: grilled meats, duck, sausage and red sauces
-Syrah/Shiraz
Tastes like: blackberries, black pepper, spices. Heavy-bodied wines with medium sweetness
Best when paired with: chicken, BBQ, curries and spicy sausages
-Ports
Tastes like: sweet, rich and medium-bodied
Best when paired with: desserts.
Some wine tasting in the D.C. metro area can be found at the following locations: Veramar Vineyard
Address: 905 Quarry Road Berryville, Va.
Telephone: 540-955-5510
Wine tasting every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 11:30 a.m. About an hour drive from D.C.
Vidalia
Address: 1990 M St. NW Washington, D.C.
Telephone: 202-659-1990
Every Monday-Friday from 5 p.m.to 7 p.m. Come and taste different wines; usually three wines are tasted each night.
Elk Run Vineyard
Address: 15113 Liberty Road, Mount Airy, Md.
Telephone: 800-414-2513
Wine tastings are held April through November, Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.
Address: 221 N. East St. Frederick, Md.
Telephone: 301-668-0311
Hours for wine tasting are Tuesday-Thursday from noon to 6 p.m., Friday–Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 6 p.m.
Ingleside Vineyards
Address: 5872 Leedstown Road, Oak Grove, Va.
Telephone: 804-224-8687
Complimentary tours along with wine tasting are available Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays noon to 5 p.m.