Sonoma Valley Official Visitors Guide

WINE PRIMER
HOW TO TASTE
BECOME A WINE EXPERT IN SONOMA VALLEY
Learning how to taste wines will increase your appreciation
for the deep care given by the winemakers.
LOOK: Take a good look at the glass of wine. Tilt the glass and note the color
of the wine against a white background. What color is it? Look for more than red,
pink or white. Is the wine watery or dark, translucent or opaque, dull or brilliant,
cloudy or clear?
SMELL: Swirl your glass for 10 seconds and then take a quick whiff to gain a
first impression. Then bring the glass back up to your nose and inhale. What do
you smell? Oak, berry, flowers, vanilla, citrus?
TASTE: Start with a small sip and roll it around your mouth and across your
tongue. Ideally alcohol content, tannin levels, acidity and residual sugar will be
well-balanced and meld together. What initial impression does the wine make on
your palate? Soft or firm, light or heavy, crisp or creamy, sweet or dry? Next, what
is the wine’s actual taste on the palate? Do you note fruit, perhaps some spice, or
maybe oak, cedar, or earthiness? Finally, how does the wine finish? Can you taste
the remnant of the wine on the back of your mouth and throat? What was your last
flavor impression – fruit, butter, oak? Remember, everyone’s palate is different.
NOW ENJOY THE FRUITS
OF SONOMA VALLEY!
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