The Art of Tasting: How to Taste Wine Like a Pro (Without the Snobbery)

Wine tasting doesn’t need to be complicated, intimidating, or reserved for people who speak fluent sommelier. At its core, tasting wine is about paying attention to your senses and discovering what you enjoy. Whether you’re exploring supermarket favourites or uncorking something special, learning how to taste wine can make every glass more rewarding. Let’s break it down into four simple steps that turn wine tasting into something relaxed, enjoyable, and easy to repeat.

1. Look: Check the Colour and Clarity

Start by pouring a small amount of wine into your glass. Tilt it slightly against a white background and observe the colour. The shade can tell you a lot. Pale lemon or greenish tints are common in young white wines. Deep ruby or garnet tones often signal richness or age in reds. Lighter colours tend to suggest youthful wines, while darker or more amber hues may point to oxidation or bottle age. Try it with a pale Pinot Grigio compared to a golden Chardonnay, or a light Beaujolais next to a dark Shiraz.

2. Swirl and Sniff: Explore the Aromas

Give the glass a gentle swirl to release the wine’s aromas. Then take a few short sniffs. What can you smell? It could be fruit, herbs, flowers, spice, or even something earthy. There are no wrong answers here. If it reminds you of cherries, lemon peel, violets, or black pepper, trust your nose. Aromas are deeply personal and often tied to memory. Good options for aroma practice include Sauvignon Blanc for grassy, citrus notes, or Primitivo for ripe red berries and spice.

3. Taste: Flavour, Texture, and Balance

Take a small sip and let it move around your mouth. Focus on the flavours first. Then notice how the wine feels. Is it light and crisp? Rich and smooth? Dry or slightly sweet? You’re tuning into acidity (does it make your mouth water?), tannins (do you feel a drying sensation on your gums?), alcohol level (is there a warming feel?), and overall balance. This part is all about how the wine behaves on your palate. Try comparing a dry Riesling with zippy acidity, a soft, rounded Merlot, or a bold Shiraz with noticeable spice.

4. Finish: Notice the Aftertaste

After you swallow, pause and notice how long the flavours linger. This is known as the finish. A short finish might feel clean and refreshing. A longer finish can hint at complexity or structure. There’s no right or wrong, but paying attention to the finish helps build awareness of what styles you enjoy most.

You Don’t Need a Cellar to Get Started

You don’t need rare bottles or expensive tools to start tasting like a pro. Some of the best wines to learn from are affordable, easy to find, and full of flavour. Try supermarket-friendly picks like Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand) for a bright, citrusy, aromatic style; Yellow Tail Shiraz (Australia) for rich, juicy notes of black fruit; Torres Viña Sol (Spain) for something light, floral, and crisp; or 19 Crimes Red Blend (Australia) for a smooth, fruity red with soft spice.

Final Thoughts

Wine tasting is about slowing down and noticing what’s in your glass. With just a little practice, you’ll begin to spot patterns in what you enjoy. You’ll understand why certain wines go better with certain foods. And most importantly, you’ll feel more confident choosing bottles that truly suit your taste. So swirl, sniff, sip, and savour. No snobbery needed. Just good wine and a little curiosity.

Cheers.