By Lizbeth Conguisti, the Sassy Sommelier

Nobody can tell you what wine is best. The only true way to determine your wine of choice is through tasting.

On February 27^th I put on my Sommelier hat for a birthday celebration with the WPB’s — a group of professional ladies who get together once a month to share an exceptional dinner and wine tasting experience.  The evening started with a lovely tray of large blackberries, strawberries and blueberries.  Next was a tray of fresh cheeses along with thin slices of French bread.  The first course was “Tri Colored Tortellini” served with Pesto, Alfredo and Marina Sauce, prepared by Gosia. Our taste buds jumped at the opportunity to fill our mouths with each spoonful.  On this evening to celebrate Kristin’s Birthday, the pasta was a perfect way to honor the fact that Kristin grew up in Italy.

At these events, typically, each of the ladies prepares a portion of the meal and the hostess provides the theme and wine tasting.  While this group has been meeting for several years they have never done a formal tasting, so I walked them through the tasting steps referred to as the 5 S’s.

Sip, Swirl and Savor your way thru the 5 S's of Wine Tasting

The Five S’s

When tasting a wine, run a list of descriptive words through your mind.  Think fruit (lemons, limes, berries, peach, apricot, melon, pineapple) or earthiness (mushrooms, mud, leaves, forest, wood).  Use familiar words to describe your experience, and descriptions you will remember.  For it is your ability to recognize the aromas and taste of wine again and again that makes a good wine taster.

See: Look at the color: is it pale straw, Aztec yellow, blond, golden, green gold, brick red, ruby red, deep purple, cranberry red, burgundy?

Swirl: Swirl the wine in the glass to release the aroma, bouquet, and fragrance.

Sniff: Sniff the wine in the glass. What scents do you detect: apple, apricot, peach, lemons, limes, pineapple, pear, baked apple, butter, butterscotch, yeast, asparagus, plum, raspberry, baked cherry, jam, prunes, mint, licorice, spiced tea, mushrooms, orange, chocolate, coffee, cigar box, pipe tobacco, cola, beans, almonds, bread, biscuits, cinnamon, cloves, honey, ginger, yeast, gardenia, geranium, rose, honeysuckle, chalk, flint, grass, hay, minerals, stone, straw, gasoline, rubber, earth, or leaves?

Sip: Swirl the wine in your mouth. How does it feel: full-bodied, medium-bodied, light-bodied?

Savor: Hold the wine in your mouth. Keep your mouth closed, then breathe in through your nose and swallow the wine. Take a moment to remember how the wine felt in your mouth: full, light, crisp, acidity, bitter, tannic, uneventful, or full and round, comfortable, savory, wonderful, satisfying like velvet?

Try the following wines to get started on your wine tasting education and don’t hesitate to order a copy of “Sip, Swirl, Savor:  A Wine Tasting Guide and Journal” to help you keep track of the wines you taste.  E-mail us at sassysommelier@sassysommelier.com with your book order.   $ 12.00 including shipping to Foodies Like Us Fans.