How should I order unknown wines in a tasting

How should I order unknown wines in a tasting - Aged male in apron pouring wine into shot glass while standing at table and assembling order in kitchen

I hope this is not too off-topic.

We are doing a wine tasting soon, where everyone presents a wine (assume all red, dry). As there will be a wide variety of types, I think the order is quite important (e.g. not having light wines directly after very heavy ones). What might be the best way to define an order from the information given on a typical bottle of mid-range wine?



Best Answer

Light first, see e.g. this list for ordering them by varietals, if you have old world wine you need to decode areas to probable varietals :-)

So for reds that would make a list like this.

  1. Pinot Noir
  2. Sangiovese
  3. Tempranillo
  4. Grenache
  5. Zinfandel
  6. Merlot
  7. Shiraz / Syrah
  8. Cabernet Sauvignon



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What is the correct order for tasting a wine?

A general progression for serving and tasting wine is whites before reds, light body before full body, young vintages before old, dry before sweet wines, and fragrant white wines before oaky white wines.

What should I ask at a wine tasting?

Best Questions to Ask at a Wine Tasting!
  • What is the history of the winery/vineyard?
  • Which grapes are grown at this vineyard?
  • How are the wines fermented?
  • Are any of these wines a blend?
  • Which wines have the highest alcohol percentage?
  • What food would you pair this wine with?


What do you not say at a wine tasting?

Don't say: "The wine is heavy bodied with an aftertaste and it sticks to my teeth." So there you have it! Take a look, take a smell, take a taste and repeat as many times with as many wines as you (responsibly) can.

What is the first thing you should look at before tasting the wine?

First, you want to look for off-aromas that indicate a wine is spoiled. A wine that is corked will smell like a musty old attic and taste like a wet newspaper.



What You Need To Know About Ordering Wine At A Restaurant




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