Learn Wine Tasting: Master the 5 S's and Etiquette for Real Enjoyment
When you wine tasting, the deliberate process of evaluating wine using your senses to understand its flavor, aroma, and quality. Also known as wine appreciation, it's not about showing off—it's about noticing what’s actually in your glass. Most people think it’s fancy or complicated, but it’s really just paying attention. You don’t need a degree, a fancy glass, or a $200 bottle. You just need to slow down and use your eyes, nose, and tongue.
It starts with the 5 S's of wine tasting, a simple, proven method used by professionals and beginners alike to break down the experience into clear steps. Sight means checking the color and clarity—is it pale or deep? Is it cloudy or bright? Swirl releases the aromas, which brings us to Smell. That’s where you catch the fruit, spice, earth, or even that weird pencil-shaving note everyone talks about. Then comes Sip, not a gulp—a small one. Let it sit. Feel the weight, the acidity, the tannins. Finally, Savor. What lingers? Does it fade fast or stick around? That’s the finish. This isn’t guesswork. It’s a system that works whether you’re at a vineyard, a friend’s dinner, or just opening a bottle alone on a Tuesday.
And then there’s wine tasting etiquette, the unspoken rules that make the experience respectful and enjoyable for everyone involved. Do you spit? Yes—if you’re tasting five wines, you probably should. Do you drink every last drop? Not unless you want to be the one passed out on the couch. Do you ask questions? Absolutely. The host isn’t judging you—they’re there to help you find what you like. Etiquette isn’t about rules for rules’ sake. It’s about making space for real enjoyment, not performance.
What you’ll find below isn’t theory. It’s what people actually do. Real tips from real tastings. How to tell if a wine’s good or just expensive. What to do when you’re handed a glass and don’t know where to start. Why some people spit and others don’t. And why that $15 bottle might taste better than the $75 one. These posts cut through the noise. No jargon. No pretense. Just what works.
