Top Terms to Know Before Wine Tasting

Wine tasting is a very fun event that you can enjoy on your own, on a date, or with a group of friends. It is a fun experience that allows you to learn more about wine, enjoy the atmosphere, spend time with family and friends, and drink different types of wine.

If you are looking to go to a wine tasting event, there are many terms that you should understand so that you know what the employees are talking about. Here are the top terms to know before any wine tasting event to help make sure you know what is going on and to make you feel more comfortable.

#1) Body

Whether you are trying a San Simeon Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon or a more simple, everyday Moscato, it is important to know the term body. There are three main types of bodies that you can use to refer to different wines. They include full-bodied, medium-bodied, and light-bodied. The body of a wine refers to the thickness the wine has on your palate. Many people may describe the body of wine as drinking a cup of milk. For instance, full-bodied would be like drinking whole milk, while a light-bodied wine would have a similar consistency to skim milk.

#2) Sparkling Wine

If you decide to go wine tasting, you may often hear the term sparkling wine. Sparkling wine refers to wine that is fizzy or bubbly—like champagne. Not all wineries will offer sparkling wine, but if they do, it is always a great option to try. It will stimulate different taste buds and give your palate a break.

#3) Aeration

Aeration is the process in which you expose the wine to air. When the wine is exposed to air, it brings out the flavors and the aroma of the wine. The process of aeration of wine allows you to truly appreciate the flavor each one has. This is one of the many reasons why people swirl wine before drinking it.

#4) Fruit

Almost everyone knows that wine is made from grapes, but there are many other fruits and flavors that exist within different types and brands of wine. Many wines will taste fruity, while others will taste more savory. Some examples of fruit and savory notes you may taste include strawberry, blueberry, huckleberry, grape, citrus, mushroom, root vegetables, and more. These notes make each wine unique and make wine tasting an enjoyable event. If you go on a wine tasting event, you will likely get to taste different wines that all have a different fruit flavor.

#5) Tannin or Texture

When you hear the word texture at a wine tasting event, it refers to how the wine feels in your mouth. You will often notice a huge difference between the texture of different colored and different bodied wines. The texture that you prefer is likely a personal preference and your tastes will vary from those you are with.

One of the main terms used when referring to the texture of the wine is tannin. This results from the skin, seed, and stems of the grapes used when making primarily red wines. The higher the tannin is in a wine, the more it feels like there is no moisture in your mouth.

#6) Acid

Each type of wine has a natural acid within it. This acid helps make the wine appear and feel more sweet or bitter. If the wine is overly acidic, you will notice a sharp and tart taste. If the wine does not have enough natural acid in it, the wine may feel flat. When wine tasting, try to take note of the amount of acid each wine has and talk about it with your fellow wine tasters.

Wine tasting with friends, family, or coworkers can be an intimidating event, especially if you are not an avid wine drinker. Many people may not want to go wine tasting simply because they do not want to embarrass themselves due to a lack of knowledge about wines.

Whether you are a novice wine drinker or an experienced wine drinker, these terms are all good to know. Understanding these terms will help you better understand the wines you are drinking and help ensure that you have a good time when you go wine tasting with others.