A good knowledge of wine is one of those things that will always impress. Whether you want to show off to friends or acquaintances or you simply want to know more about your favourite beverage, there is always something interesting to be learned about wine. Here are some of the things that you should know if you want to become more knowledgeable about wine.
Establish What You Enjoy First
It can be far too easy to just choose a random wine and jump in, or to just flounder with little idea about what you are actually doing. For this reason, it can often be best to instead try to establish what you like in terms of wine and then build on from there.
The easiest place to start is with red, white, or rosé. When people are first getting into wine, these are usually one of the options that they pick first. Each one is very different in flavor and profile. You should try to work out which is most appealing to you before you learn some more – after all, you do not want to learn about a wine that does not interest you in the slightest.
Once you have a clearer idea about the types of wines that you like, you can focus in on some of the variations. Perhaps you might prefer to sip a rioja over a chianti? Or maybe a chardonnay will be more to your taste over a pinot grigio? Establishing the precise types of wine that you enjoy will make it much easier for you to learn more about wine as a whole. Whether you are buying it in a restaurant or researching more about where it came from, you will have your favorite wines as the perfect place to start!
Start With The Processes
When learning about some of the different types of wine, many like to begin with the processes used to create the wines themselves. After all, no two varieties are made in precisely the right way, whether they are using different grapes, different soils, and anything else that goes into the wine-making process. If you want to learn more about how wines differ, you do need to start at the very beginning.
For example, you might have an interest in how organic wine differs from some of the other variations that you could buy. Anyone interested in this should check out this guide to organic wine, and should also maybe think about investing in a few bottles too so they can learn more about how organic wine tastes compared to others.
Winemaking is a fascinating science, and so much goes into creating each bottle. If you want to boost your knowledge of your favorite types of wine, you should definitely learn more about how it is made. Even learning more about some of the grapes that you might want to try will give you some insight and knowledge about your favorite wines.
Head To The Regions
Your favourite wine will be grown and produced in a certain region of the world, so why not head there on holiday? Wine tours are incredibly common, and it can be a great way for you to learn more about your chosen wine while also sampling some of the region’s best. It does not matter if you are headed to Australia, Italy, South Africa, or even the famous Napa Valley, there are so many variations of wine out there to try – and beautiful lands to explore at the same time!
This can also be a fantastic way for you to kickstart your understanding of wine if you currently feel like you do not know much about it. By organizing a holiday in one of these areas, you can explore everything it has to offer. Stay on the vineyards themselves, explore how each winemaker prepares their specialties, and get ready to fall in love with some beautiful wine. There is no knowing what you might discover if you decide to go on a little wine tour!
Educate Your Palate
Everyone has seen people sniffing wine and then delicately trying a sip in TV shows or films. However, when we have to try it for ourselves for the first time, we can often be left feeling slightly foolish. You can not really know what you are supposed to be doing, and can end up feigning if you are in a group environment for the wine tasting. Educating your palate can give you the confidence to learn more about wine as a whole. Next time you have a glass of wine for yourself, even in the comfort of your own home, consider its palate and how it tastes.
Start with learning how to observe the wine in the glass. Note the color and how it sits in the glass itself. When you are ready, you should take a sniff of the wine to find its aroma and bouquet. The aroma is the smell of the wine itself and usually consists of some of the fruits used to create the wine. This should be one of the first things that you smell. The secondary smells are the bouquet – scents picked up by the fermentation and aging processes. These are typically nutty or yeasty.
When you are ready, taste the wine and allow a little air in with it to help with the flavors. Make sure that it passes all around your mouth, so all parts of your tongue can be used to identify the flavors present.
Share The Experience
Who says that you have to learn more about wine on your own? Whether you are watching a documentary or opening a ton of bottles for a tasting session, you can have a great time exploring the world of wine in the company of friends.
What could be a better girls’ trip than to go away to a winery together? You could all have a fantastic time sampling some of the different wines, and you might find the perfect one that you all enjoy. This could even make a great idea for a bachelorette party – whether you are staying at home or going away!
Of course, if you do go away by yourself, there are still plenty of chances to meet fellow wine lovers. You could book into a tasting course with the chance to meet and discuss wine with others, or you could even join a much longer tour group that will visit several vineyards over the course of a week or so. The sky is the limit!
Get Ready To Learn More About Wine Now!
Wine is one of those areas of expertise that seems really daunting and complicated to those outside it. However, once you take a step in, you will discover that it is full of friendly people already in the know, and lots of knowledge for you to pick up! Whether you are a wine lover who wants to expand your horizons, or just someone looking to pick up expertise in an interesting field, there is so much waiting for you! Find out more about your favorite types of wine, and discover some new favorites now!
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A lovely article for beginners. It will really help clear a lot of fog.
Brilliant
Thank you so much!