The Basics |
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Drink Like a Pro |
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Since we named this site Swirl, Smell & Sip, it's pretty obvious that we're big believers in
following this simple yet vital approach to drinking every wine that you have the pleasure to
enjoy. Let's quickly run through these steps plus a couple more and discuss why you should
always invest the time to, as we say, drink like a pro. Before we get to the swirl, let's talk about an optional step we'll call sight, where we're talking about giving your wine a good once-over with your eyes before you do anything else. Once the wine has been poured, try holding it up at a 45 degree angle against a white background and take a look at the color. The color won't really tell you if a wine will be great, but it can give you a hint to the wine's age. Reds generally turn lighter with age, while whites turn darker. White wines should also be clear; if it appears cloudy, that is probably the sign of a bad wine. For the most part, you want to take note of varying colors in different varietals and blends to appreciate all of the different hues that wine can take on. Unlike the sight exercise we just described, the swirl is an absolute must. A good, aggressive swirl allows oxygen to get in contact with compounds in the wine that helps produce the aromas and bouquet to enjoy. When the wine has just been poured, you will not be able to enjoy the best nose that the wine has to offer without the swirl. Hint: if you have trouble getting a good swirl going when you hold your glass away from the table, there's nothing wrong with keeping the glass flat on the table and swirling it that way. Just remember, getting a really good swirl is the key. Now, it's time to smell. Humans can actually get a lot more out of the smell of the wine than the taste, for we can actually perceive over two thousand unique scents but we can only taste sweet, sour, salt and bitter. You know how you close your nose when you're about to taste something nasty? That's because it's your sense of smell that's really affecting what you taste. Smelling your wine is truly the only way to fully appreciate its majesty and amazing complexity. Every wine brings a number of aromas to the table, with the highest quality wines producing a symphony of scents. We won't bother trying to list all of the fruits, spices, vegetables and other smells that wine can emulate here, but trying to discern those smells and compare your thoughts with your fellow drinkers is easily one of wine's most treasured features. Next, take a sip and finally taste the wine. Smelling provides a fun challenge and allows you to appreciate the wine's nose, but only through drinking the wine is the Finally, you should sit back and enjoy the wine's finish, also known as the aftertaste. A great wine should leave a residual sensation behind for you to enjoy after you've swallowed. Once the finish has subsided, it's time for another smell and sip and you get to experience the pleasure all over again. And that's why we love wine! |
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