Ahhh… the art and science of wine tasting.
Well, it doesn’t have to be pretentious, especially here in BC! Follow these simple tips to get the most of our your sips.
Tasting Tips…
LOOK
Tip the glass and stare before you smell or sip. As they age, red wines display hints of reddish-brown at the edges and whites become more golden; contributing to a fuller taste.
SMELL
The nose knows. The tongue can detect only five flavours, while the nose can distinguish among thousands. Gently swirl the wine in its glass to vaporize the alcohol and release the aroma of the wine.
What do you smell? Sage, clover, apricot, plum or blueberries?
TASTE
The tip of the tongue senses sweetness. The back, bitterness. And the sides detect acidity. Take a small amount of the wine in your mouth and swirl it around to taste the complexity of its character. Are you still tasting it ten seconds later? Did the taste change?
FEEL
Feel is the touch of the wine on your tongue. Is it rich, full, lean or bubbly? Does it tingle at the edges? Tannins, for example, feel dry on the tongue; like biting into a grape seed or drinking a cup of over-steeped black tea.
SPIT
The more you spit, the more you can sip and sample. And it’s the perfectly proper thing to do. It’s also appropriate to pour the rest of the glass into the bucket the winery provides.
CLEANSE
A couple of crackers or a sip of water will cleanse the palate and clear the way for the next experience.
Savour each moment…
with useful tips that make for great trips, through BC wine country!
Touring Tips…
BE CAREFUL
Wine and winding roads don’t go together. All that tasting can add up to trouble. If your hand is holding the glass, make sure a designated driver is holding the wheel.
CALL
Book in advance for tours and tastings, especially if you’re travelling in a group. Some wineries are seasonal, others have irregular hours and they all want you to enjoy your visit.
STAY COOL
Wine can spoil and boil over in a hot trunk. Bring along a cooler to make sure the wine you like at the tasting is the wine you take home.
EAT
Many wineries have restaurants – take advantage of one to enjoy a spectacular meal. If you’re more of a do-it-yourself type, bring along a picnic lunch. Some wineries have picnic areas – buy a bottle of wine and enjoy the view.
ENJOY
Whether you are touring some of BC’s best wineries or simply sipping at home, remember to savour the moment and enjoy the fruits of our labour!
