Getting into wine can be intimidating. Check out our favorite tips for first-time wine drinkers, whether you’re pairing or enjoying a glass on its own.
A hobby, an art, and a delicious treat, wine truly fulfills many of the fun parts of life. If you’re thinking about getting into wine, finding a good starting point can be intimidating. Check out some of the most useful tips for first-time wine drinkers.
Start Sampling
One of the most impactful wine-drinking tips for beginners is simply to begin. Start by sampling a few widely varied wines to see what you respond to most. You can make this a fun outing with friends to a local winery or an at-home experience curated by you and your local wine shop.
Pick a few reds, a few whites, a sparkling, and a rosé, and get to tasting! Make notes of which you enjoy, and start to think about why those stood out to you.
Learn How to Taste
Tasting wine is an art. Follow these steps to test out wines without losing your senses:
- Start by swishing the wine gently around in the glass—this shows you the legs of the wine.
- Give the wine a small waft or sniff to get a hint of the notes.
- Take a sip of the wine and swish the wine around in your mouth to really get a feel for it.
- If you’re tasting multiple wines, it is customary to spit the wine out, but swallowing is acceptable if you’re simply tasting a bottle for the table.
Discover The Notes
Here are a few of the “notes” you may taste. Knowing these will help you describe and identify the wines that you enjoy and dislike.
- Fruity
- Herbal
- Floral
- Spicy
- Earthy
It can also be helpful to identify the acidity, structure, texture, and balance of the wine you are tasting.
Next Steps
Once you’ve discovered a few of your favorite qualities in a wine, you can begin looking for new ways to expand your wine palate. Taking these most useful tips for first-time wine drinkers along with you on your journey is a great way to break into the wine culture.
