6 Key Elements To Consider When Tasting Wine

By Author: Stephen John
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It seems that some people have a keener sense of smell and taste than others when it comes to evaluating wine. However, while expert wine tasters may seem to have been born with this gift, the truth is anyone can be a wine expert through constant practice. There are a variety of wine tasting exercises you can perform if you want to improve your wine tasting skills, but if you are only starting, you need to focus on six key elements that wine experts themselves focus on when assessing a bottle of wine.

Oak. One of the first things expert wine tasters check out of a wine is whether it is oaked or not. You see, wine is usually placed inside oak barrels during production. Over time, some of the elements from the oak gets mixed with the wine, affecting its flavor and structure. This is why some wines have that vanilla or caramel flavor in them, while others have that toasty flavor that seem like it has been roasted over flame.

Flavors & Aromas. The flavor and aroma of the wine are another key element wine experts focus on when tasting wine. The grape variety from which the wine was made of, the type ...
... of soil the vine was planted in, and the climate where the grape was grown all account for the flavor and aroma of the wine. Different people smell and taste different things from wine, though, but the more you practice, the more easily you'll be able to accurately pick the flavor and aroma of wine you're evaluating.

Sweetness. Obviously, sweetness in wine can only come from its sugar content, and is measured by the amount of residual sugar that's left after fermentation. This can contribute to the body and texture of the wine as well. Moreover, sweetness in wine can be masked by the wine's acidity.

Acidity. How acidic wine is depends on several factors including the type of grape used in making it, the grape's amount of sun exposure, the climate of the region, and the type of soil the vine was planted in. Generally, wines made in cooler regions have higher acidity. When evaluating wine, the acidity of the wine is basically tasted on the sides of the tongue and when overly acidic, the flavor of the wine may leave a sour taste or a stinging sensation.

Tannins. Tannins are what produces textures in wine. As you know, tannins are compounds released by the skin and seeds of the grapes and even by the stems and barks that get mixed during production. Generally, the more tannins present in the wine, the more drying and bitter sensation it can leave in the mouth. Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Zinfandel are good examples of wine that contain high tannin levels. Visit WineMarket website if you're wondering where to find cheap cabernet sauvignon wine.

Body. The sixth and final key element to check out for in a wine is its body or the sense of weight or heaviness that it brings. Generally, the more alcohol the wine contains, the more body it will possess. Aside from alcohol, other factors that can add to the body of the wine are oak, sugar, and the overall concentration of the wine's flavors.

Stephen John is a food and wine enthusiast. He blogs about food, wine, and culture and writes wine reviews for a living. He recommends that you visit the Winemarket.com.au website for a wide selection of high-quality wines online.