Wine, a timeless treasure of human culture, transcends mere libation. To fully appreciate its complexity, we must explore the art of decanting. Here’s why and how.
Why Decant Wine?
Decanting wine isn’t just a show; it serves several vital purposes:
1. Aeration: Wine breathes when exposed to air, unlocking its flavors and aromas, revealing a more nuanced character.
2. Sediment: Older wines can develop sediment, affecting texture and taste. Decanting separates sediment, ensuring a smoother experience.
3. Temperature: It helps bring wine to the perfect serving temperature quickly, enhancing its flavor.
4. Presentation: The aesthetics matter too. Decanting into a beautiful vessel elevates the overall wine-drinking experience.


SNIFF
Now the wine is ready to taste, but you have to “taste” it with your nose first. Your sense of smell contributes seventy percent of what you taste so smelling the wine before tasting is essential. So take a whiff and consider what you smell. Can you smell different aromas? What does each aroma remind you of? Fruits, herbs, floral notes or something else?
SIP
Take a large sip and hold the wine in your mouth for a few seconds allowing it to coat the surface of your tongue and cheeks. This will help the wine interact with all your tastebuds and let you experience all the elements of the wine. Consider the different aspects of the wine – sweetness, acidity, alcohol, body, flavour. Does one element overpower the others or is the wine balanced?
SAVOUR
Now it’s time to savour the wine. Once you swallow it, notice how long the flavours linger. This is called the “finish” – observe the length and intensity of the finish.
That’s it! Now that you know the 5 S’s of wine tasting, go ahead and give it a try and tell us about your experience in the comments. Cheers!