Wine tasting is a sensorial journey that involves your five senses. If you’re new to the world of wines, the best way to get started is by tasting different colours, styles, varietals, and flavours.
We will be celebrating all of this at The Wine Awards by Cosmo Middle East and MMI Dubai on Tuesday February 13 at Josette.
As part of the run-up to the awards, Cosmo ME is helping readers improve their wine knowledge, and our latest lesson is on how to make the most out of a wine tasting.
We have a few tips to share with you. Keep reading to find out the five things that you should *never*, *ever* do under any circumstances, before a wine tasting.
Eat Pungent Foods
Some types of food, especially those known as “pungent”, can drastically alter your sense of smell and taste – your most important senses when it comes to wine tasting!
On the day of your tasting, we urge you to refrain from eating spicy and bitter foods, as they can dull your taste buds, and cause tannins and acidity to seem harsher.
Garlic, onions, asparagus, artichokes, pickled items, salty snacks, sweet treats and oily fish such as tuna should also be avoided, as they tend to have a lingering aftertaste and negatively impact the taste of the wine. We would recommend that you stick to healthy, neutral meals up to one hour before beginning your tasting session, and avoid drinking coffee and tea.
Make sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, and if you are feeling hungry, you can nibble on some plain crackers before or during the tasting to avoid tannin fatigue.
Don’t brush Your Teeth
That may seem to contradict your dentist’s recommendation, so please note that we are not promoting poor dental hygiene – just that you should avoid brushing and using mouthwash for at least an hour before wine tasting.
Have you ever had the unpleasant experience of drinking a glass of fresh orange juice right after brushing your teeth? Well, the same applies to wines.
There is a scientific reason for it: the sodium laurate sulphate (SLS) found in most toothpaste temporarily suppresses your taste buds’ sweetness receptors and enhances bitter flavours.
Don’t wear perfume
It’s important to note that strong odours can change the taste of wine. Therefore, we recommend that you avoid any splash of fragrance on that day, as well as using body sprays, cologne, aftershave, strong deodorants, and essential oils. Remove any strong scents such as incense, scented candles, and freshly cut flowers from the room where the tasting will take place.
Additionally, it’s best to steer clear of the kitchen, where there are often lingering smells in the air.
Remember: the more neutral the tasting area, the better you will be able to taste your wines.
Don’t drink alcohol
Alcohol consumption alters the senses – you might find yourself praising the delicate fruity aroma and the red cherry flavour notes of a certain wine only to purchase it again on another day, and realise it has a strong, earthy aroma, with blackcurrant and vanilla flavour notes!
Don’t be judgemental
There are many misconceptions about wine tasting, such as that it is a snobbish activity, that only very expensive wines are worth it or that you need to attend wine-tasting sessions with experts to enjoy it.
That couldn’t be further from the truth. We all have taste buds, a palate, and our preferences, and there is nothing snobbish about knowing what you like and what you don’t. Don’t judge what others may perceive – it’s a deeply personal experience.
Also, there is a wide price range of wines available out there, and you might prefer budget-friendly ones to a bottle that costs hundreds. Not all that glitters is gold – the modest-looking, pocket-friendly bottle at the bottom of the shelf might surprise you!
Finally, attending wine-tasting sessions with professionals is a great learning experience, but you can also pick a few bottles from your neighbourhood MMI store, gather your friends in the cosiness of your home and have a fantastic time.
By keeping an open mind and avoiding these common mistakes, we are certain that you will have a blast exploring the world of wines.
Meet the judges of The Wine Awards and find out about all the categories here.
Read about the ultimate do’s and don’ts of drinking wine here.
And brush up on your knowledge by reading our wine glossary here.