How Wine is Made (And Why It Matters)

Every bottle of wine begins with a simple ingredient: grapes. What transforms those grapes into thousands of unique wines is a combination of climate, soil, grape variety, and the choices made by the winemaker. From the moment grapes are harvested to the time the wine is bottled, each decision influences the final character of the wine in your glass.

White wines are typically made by gently pressing the grapes and fermenting only the juice, resulting in fresh, crisp flavours. Red wines are fermented with their skins, allowing colour, tannins, and richer flavours to develop. Rosé wines spend only a short time in contact with the grape skins, giving them their signature blush colour and bright, refreshing style. Sparkling wines undergo an additional fermentation that creates the bubbles we associate with celebration.

You'll also notice that some wines are described as oaked. Aging wine in oak barrels can introduce notes of vanilla, spice, toast, or caramel while adding richness and texture. Once you understand these basics, it becomes easier to recognize why two wines made from the same grape can taste completely different.

How to Taste Wine

Wine tasting is simply the practice of slowing down and paying attention. There are no wrong answers, and every person's experience is unique. The more wines you taste, the more confident you'll become in recognizing flavours, aromas, and styles you enjoy.

Look at the wine. Observe its colour, clarity, and intensity.

Swirl the wine gently in the glass to release its aromas.

Smell, take note of any fruits, flowers, herbs, spices, or earthy characteristics that come to mind.

Sip, allow it to coat your palate before swallowing.

Before discussing the wine with the group, take a moment to write down your own impressions. What stood out? Would you pair it with a meal? Would you buy it again? Wine tasting isn't about identifying every flavour—it's about discovering what you enjoy and sharing those observations with others.

Understanding What You're Tasting

One of the easiest ways to build confidence when tasting wine is to focus on a few key characteristics. Rather than searching for the "correct" flavour, pay attention to how the wine feels in your mouth and how it changes as you drink it.

Sweetness refers to how much natural sugar remains in the wine. Most table wines are dry, but some retain noticeable sweetness.

Acidity creates freshness and makes your mouth water, much like biting into a lemon. Wines with higher acidity often feel vibrant and pair beautifully with food.

Body describes the weight of the wine on your palate. Imagine the difference between skim milk and heavy cream—wine can feel just as light or rich.

Tannins, noted in red wines, create a drying sensation on your tongue and gums.

Finish, how long the flavours linger after swallowing.

Together, these elements create the overall experience of the wine.

The Aroma Library

One of the most enjoyable parts of tasting wine is discovering the aromas hidden within each glass. While wine doesn't actually contain cherries, vanilla, or black pepper, our brains naturally connect familiar scents to flavours we've experienced before. These comparisons help us describe what we're tasting in a way that's both personal and memorable.

As you smell your wine, consider broad categories rather than searching for one specific aroma. You may notice fresh fruits like apple, peach, cherry, blackberry, or citrus. Others may find floral notes such as violet or lavender, herbal aromas like rosemary or mint, or earthy characteristics including mushroom, cedar, leather, or forest floor. Wines aged in oak often develop comforting notes of vanilla, toast, baking spices, chocolate, or coffee.

Remember that everyone experiences aroma differently. One guest may describe a wine as smelling like raspberry while another thinks of cranberry or pomegranate. Neither answer is more correct than the other. The goal is simply to notice what the wine reminds you of.