From the rolling hills of Tuscany, to France’s wine country, to sunny California, fine wine is a hot commodity throughout the world. The most persnickety savants come from all destinations to taste and judge the sweet nectar of these antique, fermented delicacies. Their method isn’t complex by any means, but when judging some of the finest wines in the world, one must use precision. Before you make your next voyage to Napa Valley, Calif., or to Bordeaux, France, you’ll be a wine connoisseur (and, potentially, a classy wine-o) if you follow these four simple steps.
Step 1: See with your eyes, not your mouth.
Hold your glass of wine up to the light or against a white background (a wall or tablecloth). The wine’s appearance — its color, clarity and vibrance — should be easiest to discern under these conditions. Look for a bold, rich color, a less murky and fogless appearance and almost a glow to its color.
Step 2: What’s in the bouquet?
No, we don’t mean dandelions and chrysanthemums. The “bouquet” is the scent of the wine. Determining its scent is best done by gently swirling wine around in your glass to release its aromas and holding the glass near your nose so you can absorb the scent, much like you would with a bouquet of flowers.
Step 3: Time to taste test!
To absorb all flavors, swish the wine around in your mouth. Take your time when doing the actual tasting — you aren’t drinking to get a buzz, but rather to learn about each specific style and brand of wine.
Step 4: How does it feel?
As the wine travels past your taste buds and down your palate, consider how it feels. Is it dry? A little too much bite/sting? The finish, or lingering time for the taste of wine, can dissolve immediately or can last up to a minute. Some wine connoisseurs — or “sommeliers,” as deemed by the French — swallow the wine, while others prefer simply to allow the wine to flow to the back of their throat and spit it out after they receive the full effect of the finish.
Now, you have the key steps to a successful wine tasting. Though it may take you some time to work your way up to the title of “sommelier,” you can hone your skills and learn a thing or two about the trade at Her Campus Mizzou’s Wine Tasting at Bleu Restaurant & Wine Bar. For $10 dollars, you’ll taste six different quality wines. It’s the perfect event for those who haven’t experienced their first wine tasting, as well as for the old pros. So, strap on your sling backs and LBD, grab a friend and come to Bleu for a perfect way to “wine” down the semester. As the Italians say — Salute!
The event begins at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27. To reserve a seat at, submit your reservation to hercampusmizzou@gmail.com by Tuesday and pay upon your arrival at Bleu.