Become a Wine Connoisseur

In my book, any way you choose to enjoy wine is a great place to start on your journey to becoming a wine connoisseur. Many future aficionados start by following a system called the "Five S's", an easy to follow framework for enjoying new wines and old favorites. Here are the "5 S's" and what to look for:

Sight – Observe both color and clarity. Color can signal the age and style of a red or white wine, while clarity provides insight to the quality of the wine.

Swirl – Swirling your wine increases its surface area, introducing oxygen to further develop its natural aromas and flavors.

Sniff – Inhale deeply and take notice of the aromas. Do you notice notes of red or dark fruits? Tropical or citrus fruits? Vanilla or toasted oak?

Sip – Take a sip and let the wine roll throughout your mouth. Notice the flavor. Is it different than the scent? There are literally thousands of flavor compounds in wine. You may notice many layers of flavor characteristics.

Savor – Finally, form your overall impression of the wine. Notice its "finish", the length the flavor remains on the palate. A long finish is often an indicator of quality and highly desirable.

Whether you are just developing your appreciation for wine or are a seasoned enthusiast, next time a new wine or an old favorite has the opportunity to cross your palate, give this approach a shot. Most of all, enjoy!