Becoming a fully-fledged wine expert can be a little scary for those who don’t really know what they’re doing. There are some strong opinions out there about different wines, and there will almost definitely be someone out there who wants to challenge your wine-tasting skills. However, we have the best way to become an amazing wine connoisseur all in this post, so you can call yourself a connoisseur all in a few simple steps.
Develop Your Palate
First of all, you need to develop your palate. Modest wines are the most sensible place to start when you start out. Simply drink wines you like to begin with, like simple roses and white zinfandels. Make sure you don’t gulp these wines down too fast; swish them around your mouth and actually taste the flavours rather than drinking them straight away (just don’t spit any out and ruin your Signature plus tablecloth).
Trying a Wine That Makes You Go ‘Aha!’
Once you’ve tried the simpler wines in life, you need to find a wine that makes you go ‘aha!’ – it’ll open your eyes to the world of wines. The ‘aha’ wine will be different from every other wine you’ve tasted, but it won’t be perfect, it’ll be unique.
Searching for Favourites
Searching for new wine favourites that make you go ‘aha!’ like the time before will be difficult. You’ll likely hit a plateau, and probably try hundreds more wines until you find one that makes you have the same epiphany as before.
Read About Wine
There are tons of articles and books about wine, so get reading! There are books that concentrate more on the fermentation process, and other books full of great information about your favourites.
Try Bold Wines
Once you’ve tried all of the basic, simple wines, found a few ‘aha!’ wines, and seem to have hit a plateau, it’s time to try some more coveted, bold wines. Some of the most sought-after wines in the world is big and bold!
Drink Strange, Complicated Wines
On your way to becoming a wine expert, you’ll want to try to find complexity in wine to help expand your palate and senses. You’re drinking a complex wine if:
- You can name more than 2 fruits as a flavour in the wine.
- You can name over 3 other characteristics.
- The flavour of the wine changes from the second you taste it to the second you swallow it.
Switch Back to Subtle Wine
By now, you may have fatigued your palate a little. This means it’s time to switch back to subtle wines!
Rediscover Your Old Favourites
You can now feel free to go back to the basics; the wines you know and love, and have loved from the beginning! The only difference now is that you can tell if something is cheap and horrible, or a fine wine!
Practice and Experiment
Now that you’ve familiarized yourself with some of the basics, it’s time to practice and experiment. Pick out a few different wines from your local store and try out different pairings. See how certain acidic wines taste when paired with spicy dishes, or how sweet wines go with dessert. This is where you can really hone your skills as a connoisseur, by playing around and seeing which combinations work best in your opinion.
Investigate and Discuss With Others
Now that you have practiced pairing on your own, start speaking to other wine connoisseurs about their experiences. Ask questions, do some research online and discuss what you learn with friends and experts alike. This will help you expand your understanding of all the nuances that come with the world of wine, like what terroir is or when late-harvest grapes are harvested.
Attend Wine Tastings
Another great way to become an amazing wine connoisseur is to attend wine tastings. These events usually involve several wines being served in small glasses so that tasters can sample them without having to buy a full bottle. Attendees can then compare notes and discuss their impressions of each wine, helping everyone learn more about the various types of wines available in the market. Not only will these tastings give you a better grasp on different wines, but also let you share ideas with others who are passionate about this topic as well!
Educate Yourself On Production Processes And Regions
In addition to attending tastings, it’s important for aspiring connoisseurs to educate themselves on production processes and regions where good wines come from. Make sure to read up on the details like grape composition or winemaking techniques used for specific bottles so that you know what makes them unique across regions or styles. It takes time for a person to fully understand production processes as well as regional differences in soil type or climate, but it’s important if one wants to truly become an amazing wine connoisseur!
At this point, you’ve come full circle, going through the process of wine tasting, and become somewhat of an expert. You should now be able to pick a wine from a list with ease and confidence. Congratulations!
