How To Taste Wine Like a Pro
When it comes to the art of wine tasting, rest assured that, at Humble Grape, we’re the best in the business. Whether hosting exquisite wine tasting events led by seasoned sommeliers or guiding guests through our monthly wine flights in the bar, our expertise always shines through!
Nonetheless, we know that the world of wine can be a daunting place. We’ve all been there: sat amidst a bustling table of colleagues, family members, or friends, when the waiter presents you a bottle. Suddenly, conversation at the table halts while everyone eagerly awaits your verdict. You might find yourself tempted to snatch the glass and take a quick gulp, nodding before you’ve even swallowed, just to divert attention back to the chatter around you.
But why settle for such hurried assessments? Instead, we want you to seize control of the moment, ensuring that the wine you choose truly delights your senses! So, let us offer some guidance on how to approach tasting wine like a professional
London Wine Tasting for Beginners
Before delving into our insider tips, we must point the spotlight towards our beginner-friendly wine tasting events. We are passionate about demystifying the world of wine, which is why we proudly offer monthly Wine 1-0-1 masterclasses at two of our wine bars in London. These sessions provide a wallet-friendly introduction to the fundamentals of wine, with each event focusing on a specific area.
Discover the upcoming events listed below and secure your tickets to avoid missing out! This is a popular series, so tickets tend to sell out fast – if they’re fully booked, then sign up to our mailing list below, and you’ll be among the first to receive updates when new sessions are announced!
March – Organic and Biodynamic Wines
As you may know, at Humble Grape we’re all about supporting sustainable, natural winemakers. In this tasting session, get ready to embark on a tasting adventure featuring some of our absolute favourites.
These wines aren’t just delicious; they’re a testament to the producers’ commitment to Mother Earth. Our wine gurus will talk you through the authentic flavours, as well as the unique production techniques used to create them. We want to raise a glass to a greener, tastier future – one sip at a time!
Canary Wharf – 19th March | Crouch End – 20th March
April – Food and Wine Pairings
Have you ever wanted to impress your friends by picking out the perfect wine pairing at dinner? Well then this one's for you. In this tasting, our WSET-accredited guru will talk you through some of the basic things to look out for when wining and dining. You'll learn how certain elements of wine react with food and what glass you should be pouring with each course. You’ll be booking your next dinner party pronto!
Our Step-by-Step Guide to Tasting Wine
1. Check the bottle
This might seem obvious, but check the bottle! Take a moment to examine the label and ensure it matches what you ordered. Check the producer, style, and vintage to avoid any surprises. After all, you want to get exactly what you’re paying for!
2. Visualise it
As the waiter pours a splash of the wine into your glass, take a moment to observe it. Hold the glass against a white surface, like the tablecloth, and examine the clarity and colour of the wine. Clarity is crucial; wine should always be clear and bright, though natural wines may vary. Cloudiness could signal a potential fault in the wine. Colour provides an insight into the wine’s origins: cooler regions typically produce paler hues, while warmer climates yield richer, more intense colours.
3. Swirl it
This is not something we do just to look fancy and professional! Hold the stem firmly and swirl the glass vigorously to aerate the wine and release its aromas. Get a sense of the wine’s viscosity, or “legs” by watching for the streaks of wine that crawl down the glass. Bigger wines, with more sugar and/or alcohol, will have more pronounced legs, but ultimately they don’t tell you much about taste or quality.
4. Nose it
It’s time to get nosey! Don’t be afraid to get your nose down in the glass and take a good hard whiff. Start off with the basics: is it pleasant or unpleasant? Then smell in colours – does it smell yellow, orange, purple, or red? Next, try to pick a fruit, flower, or spice. Don’t be disappointed if you only smell wine… That is the number one correct answer! Your senses will be able to pick up more notes in time.
Note – if you think the wine is smelling musty or mouldy, ask for it to be replaced, as the wine could be corked.
5. Taste it
Finally, the moment that everyone looks forward to: getting to taste the wine. Avoid gulping, or smacking. Slowly take a reasonable amount of wine into your mouth and swish it around. You might also find that it helps to breathe in a little, as it will oxygenate the wine and open it up.
6. Savour it
Ultimately, savouring is what makes wine more special than any other beverage. Savouring is the experience that you have with wine as the lingering aromas, texture, and complexity stay on your tongue and in the back of your throat. This lingering sensation is also called the finish. A long and complex finish is a good indication of a quality wine.
7. Rinse and repeat
If you’re looking to explore the captivating world of wine further, you can join us for our Wine Tasting Events and our WSET Awards in Wine, perfect for both aspiring pros and those who just want to learn a little more. We’ve added new dates for our WSET Level 1 and 2 in June, so be quick to book and find out more.
