Expand Your Taste Horizons
What's the difference between consuming wine and tasting wine? When you merely consume wine, it bypasses most of the taste buds and you only experience a fraction of the delectable flavors. It's worth the time to slow down. You'll begin to notice an assortment of subtle flavors, scents, and even textures—from silky to velvety.
The next time you have a glass of wine in your hand, swirl the wine before tasting. The swirl releases a bouquet of aromas and allows a range of flavors to emerge. Smell the wine several times before tasting. Do you detect hints of clove or fennel, or vanilla or toast? Each sniff reveals more about the wine. Now take your first sip, swirling the wine around in your mouth. What do you taste? Hints of red berries or perhaps, of black pepper? Tasting doesn't stop after you've swallowed the wine. The finish of many fine wines can last a full minute. So, pour a taste (you'll need only a small amount of wine) and let your palate explore.
