Chapter 1 - How To Tast Wine

Question 1

What three steps should you take with when determining the appearance of a wine?

Answer 1

1. Hold the glass at a 45° angle and view the wine from above (white sheet below is ideal to see the true colour)
2. Look at the colour, opacity and viscosity.
3. The information on the wine bottle (i.e. vintage, ABV and grape variety)

Question 2

What are some things to think about when smelling wine charactaristics?

Answer 2

• Think big (i.e. woody, fruity etc) to small (oaky, melon etc)
• Think of broad categories (dried, fresh, earthy etc)
• Break it down

Question 3

What are the four sensations that our tongue can detect in wine tasting?

Answer 3

Salty, sour, bitter and sweet

Question 4

If you are taste a salty sensation in your mouth when you drink a wine, what might it actually be?

Answer 4

Minerality

Question 5

What sensation does tannin feel like?

Answer 5

Chalky, or drying sensation

Question 6

What are the 3 main points to consider when tasting a wine?

Answer 6

• Palate
• Texture
• Length

Question 7

What 3 factors make up mouthfeel?

Answer 7

• Viscosity (light milk/full cream milk)
• Tannin
• Alcohol

Question 8

What is considered a full-bodied wine?

Answer 8

A wine with high alcohol content, complex flavours and a richer mouthfeel is considered a full-bodied wine