How to taste wine

Wine tasting. It’s an introduction that makes a lasting impression, so don’t shy away. Be confident. Hold your glass high and follow these simple steps to say, “Hi” the right way.

1. Say hello
Whether enjoying dinner at a local restaurant or just going out for drinks, it’s essential to ask for the venue’s recommendation. Each wine has a personality and those closest are best at deciphering what will be the best match for you. Once served, select a fit glass and enjoy a taste.

2. Take a look
The first step to tasting wine is to simply look at it. There are more than 50 red wine color varieties that are defined by the grape skins and age of the wine. An aged red wine will have a subtle orange tinge, which means a higher quality of wine and higher alcohol content.

3. Sniff
Once you have your glass, the first step is smelling the wine. Swirling your glass will release the wine’s natural aroma. After 10-12 seconds of swirling, tilt the glass and take a whiff for a first impression. Smelling is said to be the most important part of the wine-tasting process.

4. Clear your palate
Clear your palate with a wafer in order to clear your senses.

5. Taste
At last. Take a sip and gently swish it around to cover your palate.

6. Form an opinion
After your palate is covered, consider each element of the taste — alcohol content, tannin levels, acidity and residual sugar. Analyzing these four separately will help you better define whether the glass is intense or complex, sweet or dry, soft or firm, crisp or creamy and aid in deciphering the flavors the wine is based on.

7. Finish
This will give you the wine’s final impression — what it says after you swallow. Did the wine have an aftertaste? Was it smooth to swallow or did it have a certain briskness? Did the sweetness last? There are several factors you can take into account.

8. Savor
Congratulations. Now, savor the taste for a minute and reflect before taking another sip or asking for a new bottle. If you liked what you tasted, however, jot down the winery and suggest it to other Indiana couples looking for a tasty weekend away.