How to taste a glass of wine like a pro?

Become a pro taster with these simple tips and tricks!

By: Chris Parker - 14/02/2023

Do you love wine, but feel like you need some guidance on how to enjoy it properly? Our short series, Drinking Wisely: Short Wine Tips is here and it's an insightful, fun and informative look into all things related to wine. Led by the certified Sommelier Christ Parker (UKSA Best Sommelier UK 22), the first episode provides some wine tips that will help listeners to taste and smell wine like a pro. He'll take you through the steps of drinking a glass of wine with confidence and ease.

Hi, guys. This is Chris Parker, talking about how to taste a glass of wine like a pro.

So the first thing we're going to do is take our glass of wine and give it a swirl.

Sommelier holding a glass of red wine raised with his right hand and swirling the wine inside. In the background, two paintings on the wall and 2 bottles of wine on the shelf.

If you're not happy swirling up in the air, pop a glass down on the table, two fingers on the base, drawing little circles. And this is going to swell it in a really controlled fashion, nice and easy.

Sommelier holding a glass of red wine with two fingers of his right hand and drawing circles to swirl the wine inside. In the background, two paintings on the wall and 2 bottles of wine on the shelf.

This is just going to help release all of the aromas into the glass, and it's going to help us to smell.

When we're smelling, we're looking for fresh, vibrant and fruity characteristics, making sure that there's nothing bruised, nothing oxidised, or a little bit musty, which indicates that the wine was suffering from cork tank.

Sommelier sitting at a table, holding a glass of red wine between the fingers of his right hand and smelling the wine. In the background, two paintings on the wall and 2 bottles of wine on the shelf.

If the wine smells fresh and fruity, we're going to move on to tasting, and again, looking for the same things and just confirming what we have already smelled.

Sommelier holding a glass of red wine by the base and tasting the wine. In the background, two paintings on the wall and 2 bottles of wine on the shelf.

If the wine tastes fresh and fruity, then you're ready to enjoy it. Cheers!

Sommelier raising a glass of red wine and offering a toast. In the background, two paintings on the wall and 2 bottles of wine on the shelf.

In conclusion, tasting wine like a pro requires practice and patience. Remember to look, swirl, smell, and taste the wine as you would with any other food item. Pay attention to all the details that you can pick up from each sip and make sure to take notes if necessary.

With enough practice, you will be able to distinguish different flavour notes in no time! Finally, don't forget that tasting wine should be an enjoyable experience so have fun while doing it.