Ever wonder why wine lovers swirl, sniff and savour before taking a sip? At De Bortoli Wines, we believe that understanding how to taste wine enhances your appreciation of the craftsmanship that goes into every drop of our award-winning varieties. You might be enjoying our iconic Noble One or exploring our sustainable 17 Trees range; whatever the case, learning how to properly taste wine will transform every glass into an experience to savour.
Wine tasting serves several important purposes beyond just determining whether you enjoy a particular bottle. When you learn how to taste wine properly, you're developing the ability to:
As your tasting skills develop, you'll find yourself appreciating the subtle differences between wines from different vineyards across Australia, just as we do with our diverse De Bortoli estates.
So exactly how do you taste wine like a professional? Well, before we dive into that, you must ensure you have these essentials in place:
Professional tasters follow a methodical approach. Here's how to taste wine:
Begin your wine tasting journey with your eyes:
The aroma of wine reveals much about its character:
Now for the most anticipated part of how to taste wine—actually tasting it. Take a small sip and let it coat your entire mouth. Consider these key elements:
To improve your wine tasting skills over time:
Understanding these key terms will help you articulate what you're experiencing:
Take your understanding of the ‘how to’ wine tasting process to the next level with these practical tips:
Put your new wine tasting knowledge into practice with De Bortoli's diverse range. From our celebrated Noble One (winner of over 200 trophies and 550 gold medals worldwide) to our sustainable 17 Trees collection (which has helped plant over 69,000 trees), each bottle offers a unique opportunity to refine your tasting abilities. Visit our Cellar Doors across Australia to experience guided tastings with our experts, or order a selection online to create your own tasting experience at home. Our Italian hospitality and commitment to quality winemaking make De Bortoli the perfect partner for your wine tasting journey.
Absolutely! Wine tasting is a skill that develops with practice. Like any sensory skill, it improves with attention and repetition.
Simple! When you taste wine, you're actively engaging all your senses to assess its characteristics, while when you drink wine, you’re doing so to enjoy it.
For beginners, 3-4 wines is ideal. Experienced tasters might evaluate 5-6 wines before palate fatigue sets in. Quality matters more than quantity—take your time with each wine to fully appreciate its nuances.
Professional tasters typically spit to maintain clarity of judgement across multiple samples. For casual tastings at home, it's personal preference, but spitting allows you to taste more wines while staying clear-headed.
Yes! Different glass shapes enhance specific characteristics in various wine styles. A proper wine glass concentrates aromas at the rim and delivers wine to the appropriate part of your palate to highlight its best qualities.
Sip water, eat a small piece of plain bread or cracker, or simply take a moment to breathe fresh air. Some professionals even smell their own skin (forearm) as a neutral reference point.
Since smell accounts for about 80% of what we perceive as taste, a congested nose significantly impairs your ability to taste wine properly.
Not necessarily. While price often reflects quality, rarity, or reputation, personal preference plays a huge role in enjoyment. Many modestly priced wines, including several in our De Bortoli range, offer exceptional quality and character that may suit your palate perfectly.
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