A simple question that will start your journey in wine is as simple as: what does wine taste like?
I always think it's funny when people say "journey", like we are about to go on a mystical walk through the woods and encounter fairy's, wolves, bears, maybe fall into a rabbit hole and find Alice in Wonderland!
Though, there is no better way to describe wine, especially if you are just starting out... It is truly a magical and satisfying journey!
(It's no wonder why SO many people are obsessed with it!)
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When I got my partner into good wine he was amazed. I mean a slap in the face, jaw dropped, falling into the rabbit hole kind of amazed...
(It's safe to say that it changed his life.)
Sooo, here we lay out what wine tastes like and the TOP 5 best at home wine tastings to dip your toes into so you, too, can fall into the rabbit hole with the rest of us!
This post is all about what does wine taste like.
What Does Wine Taste Like & Where to Begin?
Characteristics of Tasting Wine
Based off established wine tasting principles, wine is tasted through 5 different characteristics (flavors & aromas, tannin, acidity, body, and alcohol).
Each giving it's own role to play in the overall experience of a particular wine!
You do not have to be an expert to drink wine!! These are simply some parameters to think about when you drink wine, and you will learn your preference for each (wink wink).
Flavors & Aromas
The flavors and aromas of wine are pretty self-explanatory, right? It's what you smell and what you taste, which in wine, can get crazy!
You have the primary, secondary, and tertiary flavors and aromas, let's dive into what those are:
- Primary: Includes your florals, spices, and fruity notes
- Secondary: From fermentation or oak barrels; vanilla, butter, caramel
- Tertiary: From the aging process; tobacco, leather, etc
I know it seems realllyyy intense and in depth! You can get in depth as you wish, no pressure!
My partner does not dive into the exact flavor profiles or get all nitty gritty with it, he just enjoys his wine and might throw a couple descriptors out there (that may or may not be "industry standard" which is perfectly ok).
Tannin
Tannins are a funky thing...
Tannins are a compound that live in the grape skins and stems. When they are in wine they create a drying sensation, almost like a bitterness, but without the bitter...
Tannins are NOT a flavor but rather a mouthfeel / texture.
Red wines usually have the most tannins (they just naturally live in the skins of red grapes more so than others).
Red wines with high tannic levels:
- Cabernet sauvignon
- Syrah
- Petite syrah
- Nebbiolo (Italian wine)
Some people really do not like high tannic wines, others (like me) LOVE some good tannins. You will learn once you keep trying more wine!
*cue the waiter to bring more wine"
Acidity
Acidity in wine either makes the wine like a lemon or like a piece of wood... Let me explain:
A wine high in acidity will be refreshing, it will be almost like biting into a lemon or green apple. While wines low in acidity will be like sucking on a piece of wood or biting into a rich chocolate cake.
Wines high in acidity:
- Sauvignon blanc (white)
- Riesling (white)
- Champagne (white/sparkling)
- Pinor nior (red)
Body
My FAVORITE part of drinking wine is the body... I know that sounds weird.
Without using big words here, the body of the wine is the weight of the wine in your mouth.
Does it feel watery or like skim milk?
Does it feel rich like chocolate cake?
A lot influences the body of of a wine (sugars, tannins, and other compounds that I have no idea what they are).
Wine examples by body:
- Light body: Pinot grigio
- Medium body: Merlot
- Full body: Cabernet sauvignon
Alcohol
Last, and maybe least, the alcohol content of your wines will in fact change your experience with the wine.
Alcohol content of a wine is not a flavor, but a mouthfeel.
A wine high in alcohol will feel warm and maybe even give you a burning sensation...
Have you ever taken a sip of straight whiskey? You know that warming sensation and your throat burning? That is what I am talking about.
High alcohol wines are usually fuller bodied wines like Zinfandel (red) or Chardonnay (white).
Top 5 at Home Wine Tastings!
Now that we have answered your burning question, what does wine taste like, let's see how we can actually taste it for ourselves !
Because, truly, that is what it is all about, right?!
Here are the BEST at home wine tastings to dip your toes into the world of wine:
1. Vinebox (#1 Choice!)
A decadent wine tasting company that sends you curated wine tastings right to your door!
Literally, wine... delivered to your door! Can you ask for anything better?!
They send three 100 mL tubes of wine from around the world curated by Sommeliers. Included in the box is a guide on the wines, a QR code to learn more, and even a tasting guide FROM a sommelier!
Personally, I LOVE vinebox! The wines I got in my tasting were so unique, delicious, and SO rewarding to try.
Vinebox is a super accessible way to get started tasting wines!
Get started with Vinebox here!
2. Sampl Wine
Another amazing wine tasting company! They send seven 100 mL bottles of wine from specific wine regions across the USA!
The coolest part of Sampl is they sample small production wineries. Soooo, an exclusive look into a small winery?! Yes, please!
In addition it comes with information about the wines, the region, the winemaker, and even pairing ideas!!
(Hint hint: they sell out REALLY fast, so get on their email list to be the first to know when they are back in stock!)
Get started with Sampl here!
3. Winc Wine
A subscription based wine service that actually pairs you with wines based on your personalized quiz.
This subscription delivers sommelier curated bottles of wine, not the 100 mL vials. Buuuut, they are tailored to your specific preferences.
A fun way to engage with wine in a new way especially if you are brand spankin new to the wine game!
4. FirstLeaf
A perfect option for budget-friendly wine curious folks! FirstLeaf is similar to Winc, it delivers full bottles of wine to your door... Like c'mon, we love this.
What is even better? You get your first box of 6 wines for only $44!
FirstLeaf also has a tailored quiz to match you with the wine of your preference!
5. Plonk Wines
A bit more of a niche way to experience wine: Plonk Wines. I am kind of in love with them and they offer organic, biodynamic, and low sulfite wines through a subscription.
So, once again, we get wine delivered!
The coolest part about Plonk is they showcase unique wine varietals that you *probably* won't find anywhere else! Join the rare wine club and start tasting the coolest wines right at home!
The world of wines is SO gorgeous, vast, expansive, and timeless. You can spend your WHOLE life trying new wines, traveling to drink wine, and more... You *probably* won't get tired of it!
Here you learned the characteristics of tasting wine and the TOP 5 BEST at home wine tastings so you can get unraveled by the timeless gift of wine.
This post was all about what does wine taste like.
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