How to Taste Wine Like a Pro
There is a world of difference between drinking wine and tasting it. The first is a gulp. The second is a few minutes of paying attention that turn a glass into a story. The good news: the method takes about thirty seconds to learn.
Tasting is not about being fancy. It is about giving your senses a moment to catch what they would otherwise miss. The famous five steps, sometimes called the five S’s, simply slow you down enough to notice color, aroma, texture, and finish. Do them once and you will never drink the same way again.
The five steps
See. Tilt the glass against a white background. Color hints at age and style: pale, watery rims suggest a lighter wine, deep colors a bolder one. Swirl. Gently rotate the glass to coat the sides and release aromas into the air. Smell. Put your nose in and inhale. This is the big one, because most of what we call flavor is actually aroma. Look for fruit, herbs, earth, oak, or flowers. Sip. Take a small mouthful and let it spread across your whole tongue, even drawing in a little air. Savor. Swallow and notice the finish, the flavors and sensations that linger.
What to actually notice
As you taste, check the same four traits that define every wine. Sweetness: is there sugar, or is it dry? Acidity: does your mouth water? Tannin: does the wine dry your gums, like strong tea? Body: does it feel light or rich? Then the finish: how long do the flavors last? Long finishes are a hallmark of fine wine.
Why swirling and smelling matter so much
The human tongue only detects a handful of basic tastes, but the nose can distinguish thousands of aromas. That is why smelling is the heart of tasting. Swirling speeds up evaporation and lifts those aromas to your nose, which is why a swirled glass smells far more expressive than a still one. Skip the swirl and sniff, and you miss most of the wine.
Want to put it into practice? Start with the guide to wine types, see our advice for beginners, or test yourself with the wine IQ quiz.
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What are the five steps of wine tasting?
See, swirl, smell, sip, and savor. You look at the color, swirl to release aromas, smell deeply, sip and let the wine coat your mouth, then savor the finish. These steps reveal far more than simply drinking.
Why do you swirl wine?
Swirling coats the inside of the glass and speeds up evaporation, lifting the wine’s aromas into the air so you can smell them. Since most flavor is actually aroma, swirling makes the wine far more expressive.
What should you taste for in wine?
Focus on four traits and the finish: sweetness, acidity, tannin, body, and how long the flavors linger after you swallow. Naming these lets you describe and compare any wine.
How do you smell wine properly?
Swirl first to release the aromas, then put your nose into the glass and inhale gently. Try to identify families of scent such as fruit, herbs, earth, flowers, or oak. The nose detects far more than the tongue.
What is the finish of a wine?
The finish is the flavor and sensation that lingers after you swallow. A long, pleasant finish is considered a sign of quality, while a short finish fades quickly.