How to enjoy wine?

The circumstances in which you taste, including the time of day, affect your judgment.

However, as the intent here is to focus on enjoying as opposed to tasting in the professional sense, let us set the scene.

An important point should be made at the outset: The first few sips of any wine might very well taste aggressive, harsh or abrupt because your mouth has not yet adapted to the acidity and alcohol. Thus, your perceived judgment of the wine may be initially flawed.

There aren’t any set rules that declare that you must drink specific wines to accompany particular dishes or food types. When all’s said and done, it’s your call. As a result, however, of excessive comparative tasting over time some wines, it has been determined, complement or balance out best with specific dishes, flavors or seasoning to do justice to both wine and food.

As most wines are fragrant, an actual wine glass will provide more sensory pleasure. Of late, specifically designed glasses to suit individual wines, be it by wine producing area or varietal, are now available for those who elect to enjoy wine at the next level.

The temperature of the wine has a bearing on what you will or will not perceive. Any wine that is too cold will not provide you with its sought after aromatic qualities. On the other hand, if the wine is too warm, expect it to appear boozier (more perceived alcohol) and, in all likelihood, harsher or more aggressive on the palate.

As a side note, if you’re sporting a cold, you know from experience that your sense of smell is, for all intents and purposes, nonexistent. As you rely on your nose to taste food and wine, don’t expect to experience anywhere near the same enjoyment if your sense of smell is incapacitated.

In an ideal world, you should perceive aroma, body, texture and flavor from the time the wine enters your mouth until well after you’ve swallowed. That, however, is best learnt in a wine appreciation course, several of which are offered to the public. Appellation Wines will gladly recommend a course to suit your needs.

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