Appearance

A wine colour gives an indication of its personality. There are no simple red or white wines. The darker the colour usually indicates full-bodied wines. This "rule of thumb" also applies to whites going from pale straw to golden.

Some grapes like Pinot Noir make naturally paler wines than Cabernet Sauvignon. For example, wines from warmer regions tend to have deeper colours. Rosé wines should always be pink, with no muddiness or yellow cast.

You can tell a good wine by it's clarity. Hold it up to the light and swirl the wine around the glass. A sweet wine will make thicker legs or windows, whereas a dry will break down into thinner legs or tears.

Nose

Swirl the wine again vigorously for a moment to release any reluctant smells and then check out the aroma or bouquet by placing your nose at the rim of the glass and inhale deeply.

Your nose can tell you a lot. The aroma or bouquet might remind you of many different smells: fresh flowers - mint - chocolate - spice - herbs - fruit - oak, etc A good wine should be a pleasant smell and well balanced.

Taste

Most important of all is the taste! Take a sip of the wine, don't swallow it and hold it in your tongue for a few seconds. Now draw air in over the top of it by "whistling in". This releases extra flavours by warming the wine slightly.

Does it taste sweet, dry, mellow, harsh, light or full-bodied, tart or earthy? Is there just one flavour or do several contribute to a "complex" overall effect.

As well as flavour, concentrate on the texture of the wine. Some whites seem buttery whereas some others can seem oily. Some reds can seem over punchy on the tannin side where others may seem fruity and smooth.

Quality

The quality in a fine wine is the balance combining the right amount of fruit, alcohol, tannin and acidity.

Finally savour by sipping your wine, swallow it and measure the time the taste lingers. A fine wine usually stays with your taste buds for more than a few seconds.

ENJOY