This is a guest post by John Adams
You have probably met your fair share of wine aficionados at parties and felt dim-witted in their presence. It is natural to hate and love such people at the same time, given their charisma perfectly garnished with snobbery. These folks are frequently referred to as ‘classy’, ‘refined’, or ‘astute’, which are exactly the adjectives you wish to be described with. You cannot pretend to be a wine expert around people who know their wines fairly well. If you are tired of being judged for your lack of wine awareness, follow these steps to transform into an impressive connoisseur:
1. Practice the 4 S’s
If you really want to discover the depths of your wine, try drinking it the right way. If you have been downing your wine like your life depends upon it, no wonder you never allowed yourself to actually taste it. Wine is more than a means of getting drunk, so learn to relish every sip…
See – Once you have poured the wine into your glass or flute, scrutinize its colour and texture. The hue and transparency can tell a lot about the wine’s ageing process. For example, white wine becomes darker as it gets old, turning to a yellowish or amber shade; on the contrary, red wine loses its pigment towards a muted shade like brown.
Swirl – If you have raised a brow at people who swirl their glass of wine, you may not know that this technique has a purpose. When the wine laps the sides of the glass, the action releases its aroma.
Sniff – Place your nose near the rim of the glass and take a gentle whiff. You will smell hints of flavours that you can expect to taste when you drink. You may close your eyes to accentuate your sense of smell.
Sip – Finally, you can taste your wine, but do not swallow it immediately. Take a small sip that you can easily swish around the mouth while the flavours hit and settle in.
2. Develop your Palate
Turning into a wine expert takes requires a great deal of training, i.e. wine sampling. You will have to get familiar with a wide range of wines in order to make an impact on different wine enthusiasts. You can start attending regular wine tastings that involve more testing than indulging. Getting drunk on the first few samples will hinder your progress and elevate the risks of committing DUI/DWI crimes. A few sips are sufficient to get the idea, and you don’t even need to swallow. Soon you shall be able to distinguish elements of fruits, minerals, nuts, spices, and other sweet or savoury ingredients.
3. Take Risks
When you feel like you are getting good at describing the average glass of wine, move towards bolder choices. Leave your comfort zone to try new and adventurous varieties. You may find a few wines that surprise you with their unique flavours. These exclusive assortments may not always taste pleasant, but they will help you immerse yourself into the wine culture and enhance your wisdom.
4. Do your Research
When you try different wines, look up literature on them to know them through and through. For instance, know about the type of grapes used to manufacture the wine and their geographical origin.
Confirm the flavours you tasted and see if you missed anything. Study the procedure of making and storing particular wines. Explore the tannins and terroir of the wines, as well as the perfect temperatures for serving.
5. Rediscover your Old Favourites
Once you have established yourself as a believable wine connoisseur, further sharpen your skills by revisiting old favourites. The wines you previously preferred shall not taste the same after you have attained a refined palate. You may wonder why you ever liked the cheap boxed wine at your nearest grocery store.
Author Bio
John Adams is a lifestyle blogger who loves sharing his personal opinions and experiences. He enjoys travelling for the love of nature and wildlife. He is also very adventurous when it comes to food; he is always eager to try exotic dishes in strange places, and then recreate them (with a twist) at home.