What Is a Tasting Note?
When you’re learning about wine, you’ll eventually hear people talk about “tasting notes.” Sometimes they sound poetic, sometimes technical, and sometimes a little over the top — but the idea behind them is actually simple. A tasting note is just a short description of what you smell, taste, and feel when you drink a wine. It helps you understand what you enjoy, compare different bottles, and make smarter choices the next time you shop for wine. This guide breaks down what a tasting note is, why it matters, and how to write one without feeling intimidated.
So What Is a Tasting Note?
A tasting note is a structured way to describe a wine based on three things:
Aromas – what you smell
Flavors – what you taste
Structure – how the wine feels (tannins, acidity, body)
That’s it.
Professional sommeliers use tasting notes to evaluate and communicate wine. Wine drinkers like you use them to remember what they liked. Somm Scribe uses them to help you build a profile of your preferences over time.
Why Tasting Notes Matter
You remember what you liked
Instead of “I liked that one wine in the blue bottle…,” you get: “I like citrusy, high-acid whites.”
You learn your palate
You start noticing patterns:
more fruit-forward reds
wines with low tannins
whites with tropical notes
earthy Old World styles
You shop better
Wine shops, restaurants, and apps become easier to navigate when you know what you enjoy.
You build confidence
Wine isn’t about being “right” — it’s about being aware of what’s in the glass.
Step 1: Describe the Aromas
Start by swirling the glass gently and taking a couple of short and long sniffs.
Ask yourself:
Do I smell fruit?
Do I smell floral, herbal, or earthy notes?
Do I smell oak influence like vanilla or spice?
Common Aroma Buckets:
Fruit: apple, lemon, cherry, blackberry
Floral: rose, jasmine, honeysuckle
Herbal: mint, eucalyptus, dried herbs
Spice: vanilla, cinnamon, clove
Earthy: mushroom, wet stone, tobacco
You don’t need to get super-specific — broad categories are enough.
Step 2: Describe the Flavors
Take a sip and focus on the overall impression.
Do you taste:
Fruit?
Citrus?
Sweetness?
Oak?
Minerality?
The flavors often follow the aromas, but not always.
Step 3: Describe the Structure
Structure is how the wine behaves in your mouth.
The four big ones:
Body: light, medium, full
Acidity: low, medium, high (mouthwatering = high)
Tannins: none, soft, grippy, firm
Finish: short, medium, long (how long flavors linger)
Even if you only describe one or two of these, you’re already writing a tasting note.
Simple Tasting Note Template
Here’s an easy template you can use in Somm Scribe or in your own notes:
Aromas:
(What you smelled)
Flavors:
(What you tasted)
Structure:
Body, acidity, tannins, finish
Overall impression:
A short sentence about how you felt about the wine
Tasting Note Examples
Example 1 — Sauvignon Blanc
Aromas: Lime, grapefruit, fresh herbs
Flavors: Lemon, green apple, grassy notes
Structure: Light body, high acidity, crisp finish
Overall: Bright and refreshing, great with seafood
Example 2 — Pinot Noir
Aromas: Cherry, raspberry, light spice
Flavors: Red fruit, subtle oak, earthy undertones
Structure: Light body, soft tannins, medium acidity
Overall: Easy-drinking red with smooth texture
Example 3 — Cabernet Sauvignon
Aromas: Blackberry, cassis, vanilla
Flavors: Dark fruit, baking spices, oak
Structure: Full body, firm tannins, long finish
Overall: Rich and structured; great with hearty meals
Tips for Better Tasting Notes
Don’t force specifics
If you’re not getting “yellow peach with a hint of tarragon,” don’t worry. Fruit categories are enough.
Compare two wines side by side
This makes differences jump out.
Use the same words every time
Consistency builds skill.
Write right after tasting
Your brain forgets aromas fast.
📲 How Somm Scribe Helps You Write Better Notes
Somm Scribe guides you through:
aroma categories
flavor categories
structure sliders
finish length
personal rating
photo and bottle details
Over time, you’ll spot trends:
which varietals you love
which regions match your palate
how your preferences evolve
It’s the best way to build wine confidence without feeling overwhelmed.
Start Logging Your Tasting Notes
The more wines you log, the clearer your palate becomes. Your wine journey is shaped by what you pay attention to — and tasting notes help you savor (and remember) every glass.
Start your tasting journal at Somm Scribe.
