How to Taste Wine: A Simple Beginner’s Guide
Wine tasting shouldn’t feel intimidating — but for most beginners, it absolutely does. You swirl the glass, take a sniff, take a sip… and suddenly everyone else is talking about “violets,” “graphite,” and “forest floor,” while you’re over here thinking: “It smells like… wine?”
Good news: tasting wine isn’t about sounding fancy.
It’s about slowing down, paying attention, and noticing what’s in your glass.
This beginner-friendly guide walks you through the simple steps of tasting wine, using language that actually makes sense. By the end, you’ll know how to taste wine with confidence — and you’ll enjoy every glass a whole lot more.
Why Learning to Taste Wine Matters
You don’t need wine education to enjoy wine, but understanding how to taste unlocks a lot:
You learn what styles you actually enjoy
Buying wine becomes easier and way less random
You can describe flavors without guessing
You build confidence when trying something new
You get more satisfaction from every glass
Tasting is a skill anyone can learn — and it gets better quickly once you know what to look for. Let’s break it down.
The Five Steps of Wine Tasting
Step 1 — Look
Hold your glass at an angle and take a quick look.
What you’re checking:
Color
Whites: pale straw → golden
Reds: light ruby → deep purple
Intensity
Lighter colors often mean lighter flavors
Darker colors = usually richer, bolder wine
Clarity
Wine should look clear, not cloudy
No need to overanalyze — just notice what you see.
Beginner tip: If you’re tasting a red and can clearly see your fingers through it, it’s probably lighter-bodied (like Pinot Noir). If you can’t, it’s likely fuller-bodied (like Cabernet Sauvignon).
Step 2 — Swirl
Swirling helps the wine open up.
Why it matters:
Oxygen releases aromas
Aromas tell you most of what you’ll taste
You can swirl on the table if you're scared of launching Merlot across your shirt. No shame.
Step 3 — Smell
This is the most important step — around 80% of flavor comes from aroma.
How to smell wine properly:
Bring the glass to your nose
Take one longer inhale
Then take a few shorter sniffs
Start with simple categories:
You are not looking for dozens of tiny details. Just ask:
Fruit?
Red fruit: cherry, raspberry
Dark fruit: blackberry, plum
Citrus: lemon, grapefruit
Floral?
Rose, violet
Herbal?
Mint, eucalyptus, dried herbs
Earthy?
Mushroom, soil
Oak?
Vanilla, toast, caramel
You don’t need to identify every aroma. Just notice a few things — that’s tasting.
Step 4 — Sip
Now the fun part. Let the wine roll across your tongue. Keep it there for a moment. Notice how it feels and tastes.
Pay attention to these key elements:
Sweetness
Most wines are dry, but some have a touch of sweetness.
Acidity
Does your mouth water? High-acid wines feel bright and refreshing.
Tannins
Mostly in red wine. Tannins = dryness or grip on your gums. That feeling like your teeth are wearing socks.
Body
Think of body like milk weight:
Light = skim milk
Medium = 2%
Full = whole milk or cream
Flavor progression
First impression
Mid-palate
Final lingering notes
You’re not trying to be perfect. Just notice what stands out.
Step 5 — Finish
The “finish” is how long the flavor lasts after you swallow.
Longer finish = higher-quality wine
Count it in seconds. If the flavor disappears instantly, it’s a short finish. If it lingers pleasantly, that’s a long finish. Beginners often skip this step but it’s one of the most important parts of tasting.
🍇 Beginner-Friendly Wine Flavor Vocabulary
Here’s a cheat sheet you can use right away:
Fruit Notes
Red wines: cherry, raspberry, plum, blackberry
White wines: lemon, lime, peach, apple, pineapple
Non-Fruit Notes
Floral (rose, violet)
Herbal (mint, basil, eucalyptus)
Earthy (mushroom, soil)
Spicy (black pepper, clove)
Oak (vanilla, caramel, toast)
Easy descriptors beginners should use without shame:
“Juicy”
“Smooth”
“Dry”
“Light and crisp”
“Bold and rich”
“Bright acidity”
These are valid tasting terms. You don’t need to hunt for obscure flavors — trust what you notice.
Example: Beginner Tasting Note
Here’s what a clean, simple tasting note looks like:
Appearance: Medium ruby red
Aromas: Cherry, raspberry, a hint of vanilla
Flavors: Bright red fruit, soft tannins, smooth texture
Structure: Medium body, medium acidity
Finish: Light, slightly fruity finish
Impression: Easy-drinking, perfect for beginners
You don’t need more than this. No poetry. No overthinking.
Why Recording Your Tastings Helps You Learn Faster
When you write down what you taste, something clicks.
You start to notice:
What you consistently like
What you dislike
Patterns in grapes or regions
How your palate grows over time
That’s why sommeliers keep notebooks — and why Somm Scribe exists. If you want to build real tasting confidence, journaling is the fastest path.
Ready to Start Tasting with Confidence?
Somm Scribe helps you capture:
Aromas
Flavors
Structure
Personal ratings
Photos
Wine details
…all in a clean, guided format.
It takes 30 seconds to log your first bottle. Start your free wine tasting journal at Somm Scribe
