Learn About Wine
With so many varieties to choose from, it’s hard to know where to begin learning about wine. We'll help you expand your palate and your knowledge.
Uncover Wine Basics With Us
While the origin of wine is still unknown, wine production dates back between 6,000 and 4,000 B.C. Explore the world of wine and go beyond the labels with us. Here you’ll learn why the shape of each glass is suited to the wine it serves, how the correct temperature can enhance the flavor and aroma of the wine, why people decant a wine and how to evaluate the wine you’re tasting.
Tasting Wine
Tasting wine is more than just using your tastebuds — it’s a sensory exploration. Learn to uncover the nuances that define each wine. Follow the “Five S’s of Wine Tasting” to fully appreciate each vintage. These tips will help you discover subtle notes, appreciate complex flavors and savor each sip. Host a wine tasting using these tips along with our tasting mat and evaluation chart — it's sure to be a success!
Sight
Many clues about wine lie in the color, clarity and possible presence of carbonation or noticeable sediment.
Swirl
Look at the visual clues, aerate the wine and bring out its aromas.
Sniff
Sniff the wine in the glass, taking several short, deep sniffs, and think about the aromas.
Sip
Sip and make a chewing motion with your mouth, coating the areas inside your mouth and around your tongue.
Spit
In order to maintain a clear head and maintain the ability to make assessments by smelling and tasting, you should spit during tasting sessions.
Temperature Guide
Serving your wine at the correct temperature can greatly enhance its flavor and aroma. Keep a few simple rules in mind so as not to serve red wine too warm and white wine too cold.
Glass Guide
Choosing a wine glass may be more complicated than knowing which fork to use at a fancy dinner, but it’s worth considering because the right choice will add greatly to your appreciation of the wine. Consult this guide next time you set the table.
Decanting 101
There are two reasons you might want to decant your wine — to give the wine a bigger space to breathe before you drink it — or because there may be some sediment in the bottom of the bottle. Decanters are usually made of glass and should be large enough to hold an entire bottle of wine and leave some breathing space.
Decanting
Before decanting, allow the bottle to stand upright for several hours, giving the solids a chance to settle. When pouring, place a light source behind the bottle so you can see the sediment and pour the wine into the decanter slowly, stopping just before the sediment reaches the neck of the bottle. You may have to leave an inch or so of wine behind. If the sediment refuses to settle, try pouring the wine through cheesecloth, gauze or even a coffee filter. Some wines without sediment can benefit from decanting, particularly if they're young or full-bodied and complex red wines. Contact with oxygen can soften harsh tannins and let fruit flavors come forward. When you're decanting for this purpose, let the wine splash a bit while pouring into the vessel.
Decanting 101
There are two reasons you might want to decant your wine — to give the wine a bigger space to breathe before you drink it — or because there may be some sediment in the bottom of the bottle. Decanters are usually made of glass and should be large enough to hold an entire bottle of wine and leave some breathing space.
Sediment
While sediment is unpleasant to drink, it’s completely harmless. Older red wines, especially old ports, develop sediment over time, as tannins and pigments bond together and precipitate out of the wine. Sediment in younger wines is usually the result of minimal filtering, which some people prefer, believing that these particles help a wine retain its complexity and color.