As we have learned, we start by looking at the glass in a 45 degree angle, away from us and over a white surface.

COLOR. For white wine: lighter color indicates: younger age, cooler climate, specific grape and darker color indicates: older age, warmer climate, aged in barrel, specific grape. Red wines are the opposite, if it ages it looses color so darker color indicates: young age and translucency indicates thin grape skin.

LEGS or TEARS indicate viscosity or body or alcohol, the more legs you see, the more alcohol content. And more alcohol also means more maturity of the grape in the vine and hotter climate.

SMELL always start with the fruit, then earth, floral and finally wood (barrel aging). Think of supermarket fruits, if the aroma is of green apple, what other aromas are green, melon, green grass, green pepper? Then try to identify earth aromas like mushrooms, soil, chalk and finally wood aromas like caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, spices, coconut.

TASTE how does it feel in the mouth, is it light (skim milk) or strong bodied (heavy cream), are acids and tannins present and in balance? are tannins smooth or harsh (dry mouth).

We will add one final assessment which is FINISH. Good wines should last a few seconds in the palate. The longer the taste lingers, the better the wine.