Wine 101: Tasting, Shmasting

Originally published March 1, 2016. Updated in 2026.

Tasting, shmasting. Tasting wine is just like drinking wine, right?

Well, there are some differences. A wine tasting gives you an opportunity to try several wines, compare them side by side, and discover what you like before choosing a glass or bottle.

If you’ve never been to a winery tasting room before, don’t worry. You don’t need special knowledge or a sophisticated wine vocabulary. A few simple steps can help you slow down, pay attention, and get more from each taste.

See

Start by taking a look at the wine in your glass. Notice its color and clarity. Is it pale or deeply colored? Does it have a golden, ruby, purple, or pink hue?

You don’t have to reach any grand conclusions from the color. Just noticing what is in the glass is a good way to begin paying attention to the wine.

Swirl

Give the wine a gentle swirl in the glass. Swirling exposes more of the wine to air and helps release its aromas.

If you’re worried about splashing wine everywhere, keep the base of the glass on the counter or table while making a few small circles. There’s no need to put on a show.

Sniff

Bring the glass toward your nose and take a smell. Much of what we experience as flavor comes from aroma, so this is an important part of tasting.

You might notice fruit, flowers, herbs, spice, oak, earth, or something entirely different. And if your first thought is simply, “That smells good,” that’s perfectly fine too.

Sip

Take a small sip and let the wine move around your mouth for a moment before swallowing. Notice the flavors, but also pay attention to sweetness, acidity, tannin, body, and texture.

Then take another sip. A wine can seem different once you’ve had a moment to become familiar with it.

Savor

After you swallow, notice what remains. Do the flavors disappear quickly, or linger for a while? Did you enjoy the wine more on the second sip than the first?

Most importantly, ask yourself the simplest question of all: Do I like this?

You don’t have to identify five different fruits or know the name of every aroma in the glass. Wine tasting is ultimately about discovering what appeals to you.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions

If you’re new to wine tasting, tell the person serving you. A good tasting-room experience should be welcoming, not intimidating.

Ask about the grapes, whether the wine is dry or sweet, how it was made, or what foods might pair well with it. You can also tell the server what kinds of wines you already enjoy and ask for suggestions.

And Yes, It’s Okay to Dump Wine

You don’t have to finish every taste. Winery tasting rooms commonly provide a dump bucket so guests can discard wine they don’t want to finish. Spitting is also a normal part of professional wine tasting, particularly when tasting many wines.

The point of a tasting isn’t to drink everything in front of you. It’s to explore, compare, and find wines you enjoy.

Relax and Have Fun

Wine has centuries of history, vocabulary, traditions, and technique behind it, but none of that should make your first tasting stressful.

Talk with the people you’re tasting with. Compare impressions. You may love a wine your friend doesn’t care for, and that’s part of the fun.

See. Swirl. Sniff. Sip. Savor. Then decide what you’d like to taste again.