Wine 101: How To Taste Wine Like A Sommelier

Wine tasting isn’t just about sipping and deciding if you like it—it’s an art, an experience, and a journey into flavor profiles, aromas, and textures. Understanding how to taste wine like a sommelier can elevate the experience, especially when it comes to vineyard tastings, wine pairings, and discovering complex flavor profiles.

Step 1: See – Evaluating the Appearance

Before you even take a sip, observe your wine. Hold the glass at an angle against a white or light background and examine the color and clarity.

White wines range from pale straw to deep golden hues.
Red wines vary from bright ruby to deep garnet or even purple.
Older wines may have a more muted or slightly brown tint around the edges.

A wine’s color gives clues about its age, grape variety, and even its intensity of flavor.

Step 2: Swirl – Releasing Aromas

Swirling your glass is not just for show—it helps aerate the wine, releasing its “Bouquet” (fancy wine term for the variety of aromas). A wine needs air to open up and reveal more of its complexity. When a wine is first poured, it’s sealed off by its closed structure from either being in the bottle a while or not long enough, and the aromas can be muted. By swirling, you allow the wine to interact with oxygen, which helps volatile compounds evaporate, intensifying the profile. This process of oxidation gives the wine a chance to “breathe” and showcase its full range of scents.

Young wines, especially reds with tannins or wines that have been recently bottled, benefit the most from this exposure. The oxygen helps break down the harsh tannins and softens the flavor, making it more approachable and giving it a chance to develop. Over time, the wine may reveal deeper, more complex aromas, which can hint at the flavors and nuances that aren’t immediately apparent when it’s first poured.

In short, swirling a wine is more than a visual effect; it’s an essential step in maximizing the wine’s complexity and elevating your tasting experience.

Step 3: Smell – Identifying Aromas

Now comes the fun part—getting your nose in the glass. Don’t be shy! It may seem a bit silly to some, but leaning in close and taking a deep sniff is crucial to identifying the true aromas of the wine. You may look like a “dumb-dumb” to some, but this step really helps isolate the actual scents of the wine, not the surrounding smells of your environment. By inhaling deeply and focusing only on the wine, you can identify the various layers of aromas present.

Silly Tip: Don’t tilt your glass too far so the wine almost touches your nose. When you sniff you might end up inhaling the wine and that’s not good for your sinuses.

Start by recognizing the primary aromas—the fruity, floral, and herbal notes from the grape itself. Then move on to the secondary aromas that come from fermentation, like nutty or yeasty smells. Finally, uncover the tertiary aromas, which emerge from aging in barrels or bottles, such as smoky, leathery, or oak-driven scents.

This step allows you to break down the wine’s complexity and truly appreciate the depth of its character.

Step 4: Sip – Exploring Flavors and Textures

Now that the aromas are established, it’s time to focus on the actual flavors and textures of the wine. Take a small sip and let it coat your palate. Swirl it around in your mouth, coat your whole tongue and your gums. Pay attention to the following questions to help identify what you’re experiencing:

Sweetness: Is the wine dry, off-dry, or sweet?
- Does the wine have a noticeable sugar level, or does it taste more neutral, with no sweetness? Dry wines have little to no residual sugar, while off-dry wines have a slight sweetness that doesn’t overpower. Sweet wines have an obvious sugary taste.
Ask yourself: Does the wine taste like it’s made from ripe, juicy fruit, or does it feel more restrained and crisp?
Acidity: Does the wine make your mouth water?
- Acidity brings freshness to a wine and is often present in whites like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Noir. A higher level of acidity can make the wine feel crisp and zesty. Think of it like the tartness of a lemon or lime.
Ask yourself: Does this wine feel refreshing or sharp, like a splash of citrus, or does it feel rounder and smoother with less bite?
Tannins: How does the wine feel on your gums or the sides of your tongue?
- Tannins come from the skins, seeds, and stems of grapes, and they create a drying sensation. Red wines are particularly known for tannins, with varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah being more tannin-heavy.
Ask yourself: Does the wine leave a feeling of dryness or a slight roughness in the mouth? Is the texture soft, smooth, or more astringent?
Body: Is the wine light, medium, or full-bodied?
- The body of a wine refers to how “heavy” or “light” it feels on your palate, influenced by alcohol, tannins, and the wine’s flavor intensity. A full-bodied wine will feel weighty, while a light-bodied wine will feel more delicate.
Ask yourself: Does the wine feel heavy, like it coats your mouth, or is it more delicate, crisp, and light, like a breeze on your tongue?
Finish: How long does the flavor linger after you swallow?
- The finish is the lingering aftertaste that tells you a lot about the quality of the wine. A longer finish is often a sign of a more complex and higher-quality wine.
Ask yourself: Does the flavor fade quickly, or does it hang around and evolve in your mouth? Does it leave you wanting another sip, or is it sharp and fleeting?

By asking these questions and paying close attention to the sensations on your palate, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the wine’s structure and character, helping you identify the unique qualities that set each bottle apart.

Step 5: Pair – Enhancing the Experience

Wine and food pairings are a match made in luxury dining. The right pairing can elevate both the wine and the dish, creating an experience that’s greater than the sum of its parts. Below, we’ve paired seven of the most popular wines with a few ideas for dishes that will help you master the art of pairing:

1. Chardonnay (White)

Pair with: Creamy and buttery dishes, like lobster bisque, chicken alfredo, or a rich mac and cheese.
Chardonnay’s full body and often buttery texture make it a natural complement to rich, creamy foods. The wine’s acidity balances out the richness, while the wine’s flavors (think vanilla, butter, or citrus) enhance the meal.

2. Sauvignon Blanc (White)

Pair with: Fresh salads, goat cheese, or herb-driven dishes like pesto pasta or grilled asparagus.

n Blanc is known for its crisp acidity and herbal, citrusy flavors. It pairs beautifully with light, fresh dishes, and its acidity cuts through creamy or tangy ingredients like goat cheese or vinaigrette.

3. Pinot Noir (Red)

Pair with: Grilled salmon, roasted chicken, or mushroom risotto.
Pinot Noir is a lighter red with soft tannins and bright acidity, making it versatile for pairing with many dishes. It complements earthy flavors like mushrooms or the delicate texture of salmon, without overwhelming them.

4. Cabernet Sauvignon (Red)

Pair with: Grilled steak, lamb chops, or burgers with strong cheeses.
The bold tannins and rich flavors of Cabernet Sauvignon make it an ideal partner for hearty meats like steak and lamb. The wine’s structure helps to cut through the fattiness of the meat, while its dark fruit and spice notes complement grilled flavors.

5. Syrah/Shiraz (Red)

Pair with: Barbecue ribs, spicy sausages, or a charcuterie board with aged cheeses.
Syrah, or Shiraz, offers bold flavors of dark fruit and pepper. It pairs perfectly with spicy, smoky, or grilled meats, especially barbecued dishes, where the wine’s intensity matches the strong flavors of the food.

6. Merlot (Red)

Pair with: Roasted turkey, braised pork, or pasta with marinara sauce.
Merlot’s softer tannins and fruity profile make it a great all-rounder, pairing well with roasted meats and pasta. Its plush texture and approachable flavors of plum and black cherry work well with both savory and slightly sweet dishes.

7. Riesling (White)

Pair with: Spicy Asian dishes, such as Thai curry, spicy sushi, or chicken tikka masala.
Riesling’s sweetness and high acidity make it a natural match for spicy dishes. The sweetness balances the heat, while the acidity refreshes the palate between bites, allowing the full range of flavors to shine.

Final Thoughts: Tasting Like a Pro

Becoming skilled at wine tasting takes practice, but with time, an appreciation for flavor profiles, wine terms, and the overall experience will develop. Visiting a vineyard market or enjoying a glass at home with a curated selection of wines can turn every tasting into a luxurious and memorable experience.

Ready to put your knowledge to the test? Visit our little wine bar and explore our selection of wines for a tasting experience like no other. While you’re here, be sure to check out some of our events. We always have something fun in the works!

Read Between the Wines Book Club – March 18th
Join us for our monthly book club as we discuss The Housemaid by Freida McFadden over a glass of wine. It’s the perfect way to combine a great read with the perfect pour!
Cellar Society Member’s Monday Wine Dinner – March 24th
Cellar Society members are invited to our exclusive wine dinner, featuring a specially curated menu paired with exquisite wines. An evening of luxury, fine dining, and expert wine pairings awaits.
Dead Money: Casino Murder Mystery Night – April 28th
Put on your detective hat for an evening of mystery and intrigue. Join us for a Casino Murder Mystery Night, where you’ll try to solve the case while enjoying your favorite wines and delicious bites.

If you’ve made it here, you obviously love wine. If you want to deepen your knowledge and enjoy exclusive benefits, you should check out our Cellar Society Wine Club and enjoy the luxury of discovering new wines and perfect pairings every month. It’s the ultimate way to indulge in the art of wine! Sign up today and let the adventure begin! Sip, Smoke, Savor friends! We’ll see you in soon!