6 Things a Budding Wine Connoisseur Should Know.

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You may have found yourself becoming fascinated with the exceptional taste of wine and wondered just how you could become a true wine connoisseur. Exploring wine territory and all it entails just requires 6 simple steps. You will need to learn how to properly taste wine, where the best grapes come from, wine names and wine lingo. In addition, you should learn where to find experts and the names of important wine critics. Let us have a look at these

Types of Grapes

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A true connoisseur should know all about the varieties of grapes and where they are most commonly grown. Champagne, France is the producer of grapes used to make champagne. Red wines may be produced using grenache, shiraz, pinot noir, zinfandel, merlot or cabernet sauvignon grapes. White wines are made from several types of different grapes, which can include chardonnay, pinot grigio, semillion, chenin blanc, riesling and sauvignon blanc.

Wine Regions

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Today California’s Napa Valley, France’s Champagne, Burgundy and Bordeaux are all famous wine regions where excellent wine is harvested from grapes. Other world-renowned wine regions include Italy, Australia, Spain and several parts of California.

Drinking Wine like a Connoisseur

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Of course, once you have learned some of the basics about wine you are going to have to drink it like a true connoisseur. After pouring the wine into the appropriate type of glass, pick up the glass only by the stem not around the cup. Tilt the glass, note colour changes in the wine, and daintily sniff the fragrance looking for any sign that it is spoiled.
Swirl the wine gently around the glass allowing oxygen to enter the wine, which stimulates the opening of aromas. Sniff the wine again and take a sip without swallowing. Let the wine roll around your mouth to detect tastes of bitterness, saltiness, sourness or sweetness. Note the weight and texture of the wine.
Aspirate the wine looking for new aromas. Swallow and take another sip. Be sure and slurp this one, but not too loudly noting texture and flavour differences. At this point if the wine tastes good and all is right go ahead and drink it. Otherwise, ask for a new bottle!

Wine Lingo

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As with any new type of subject matter, you are always considered a pro when you sound like you know what you are talking about. This is why it is so important to get the lingo down. Know and understand words such as tasting, corked, grapes, finish, mouth feel, vineyard and winery. Learn that the really big bottle of wine that you want to order is called a “magnum!”

Learn From the Experts

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Visit wine shops and speak to knowledgeable owners about the best wines. Join wine groups, visit a winery, subscribe to wine newsletters online. Read blogs, books and wine magazines.

Wine Critics

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Memorize the names of these wine critics, study their articles and emulate their techniques whenever possible. For instance, in polite conversation, you could drop anyone of these names such as Paolo Tullio, Stephen Tanzer or Clive Coates and you have just been included in the high society wine connoisseurs club.

You now know about the 6 things that a budding wine connoisseur should know. Put your education to good use and order up a good bottle of wine. Enjoy.