As 2023 winds down, end-of-year parties, lunches and dinners come in full swing, usually with some top of the range food and wines to enjoy.
And there’s nothing like sitting back with a healthy glass of poignant red wine beside a cozy fire and a delectable dish.
Or maybe you’re more of a bubbly-by-the-poolside kind of person.
Whatever your preferences may be, exploring a good well-rounded wine tasting experience can give you a new appreciation for the beverage.
There is no right or wrong way to taste or enjoy wine though. The only really important thing you need to know is whether you like the wine or you don’t.
Everything else is bonus information but give yourself the opportunity to fully explore and enjoy the different scents, notes and flavours of your favourite red or white wine or rosé and sparkling wine will have you impressing yourself and your favoured guests.
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TRUELOVE spoke to wine experts all over the country who showcased at the Standard Bank WineX festival to curate all you need to know about enjoying a pleasant wine tasting experience.
Each wine has their own signature scents and flavours, whether it’s a full-bodied red or a light and fresh rosé or sparkling wine.
Getting rich in red
Red wines come in a wide range of varieties, be it cabernet sauvignon, merlot, or shiraz.
David Wibberly, managing director at Spider Pig Wines, explains to us the kinds of notes and flavours to gravitate towards as a novice wine drinker.
“Red Fruits, smokey, new oak, mushroom, bolognaise, fresh herbs. I think novice wine drinkers would pick up things they use frequently in the kitchen or [that] would remind them of something safe to say to not look foolish when saying it. But the truth is, what the smell and taste is exactly what they should get and not be afraid to share the experience.”
Food pairings
Red wines can be paired swimmingly with any type of fragrant foods, like meat on the bone at social braais, Italian foods with pastas and ragus and spicy curries.
It also accentuates the already-intoxicating flavours that come out of strong cheeses and dark chocolate.
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Stay fresh and light with rosé and white
White wines like chenin and sauvignon blanc and chardonnays and rosés usually have light and fruity notes that are either citrusy or have berry flavours.
Rianco Van Rooyen, Cellar Master at Robertson Winery, provides some flavours in white wines and rosés that people should look out for.
“White wines can have flavours of green apple, citrus (lemon, lime), and tropical fruits like pineapple. They can range from crisp and refreshing to creamy and buttery, depending on the variety and winemaking process.
“Rosé wines often have flavours of red fruit, such as strawberries and watermelon, with a hint of floral notes. They are generally light and refreshing.”
And when it comes to specific variants of white wines and rosés, Carmen Stevens, winemaker and founder of Carmen Stevens Wines, gives the following tips:
- Sauvignon blanc – see if you recognise limes, figs, green/bell peppers, green apples.
- Chardonnay – see if you recognise over-ripe banana, vanilla, caramel, citrus.
- Chenin Blanc – ripe pear, golden delicious apple, pineapple. Rosé: strawberries, raspberries; slight whiff of stone fruits like peaches/plums.
Food pairings
Classic white wine food pairings include salads, white meat like chicken, sushi, pasta and fish, with salmon being a go-to meal for rosé.
Keep the bubbles flowing with sparkling wine
Sparkling wines offer a bubbly and lively sensation with flavours like green apple, pear and an array of ripe berry sweet flavours.
Most novice bubbly drinkers tend to gravitate towards more sweeter styles, with Beck Family Wines brand ambassador Mandla Patson Mathonsi explaining that, “they usually find brut/dry Cap Classique a little heavy and bitter for their palate hence why we always open up their palates with something off-dry or sweet to guide them through to Brut/Dry Cap Classique when their palates mature enough.”
Food pairings
Sparkling wines are versatile and can be paired with a range of foods from appetizers to sushi, and even fried chicken and salty snacks.
Mandla shares with us some classic food pairings that complement the different sparkling wine varieties.
For a brut, he suggests, “a salmon sashimi, cucumber mousse, olive oil, salt and pepper to taste and lime zest.” And for blancs or sweeter varieties, he suggests, “Pork necks, sweet potato puree, apple and white wine jus,” and “Vanilla pannacota, pineapple and chilli coulis.”
- Use nice glassware and let people bring and share their favourite wines so you can have an experience you wouldn’t normally choose
- Keep an eye on the temperature of each type of wine, with red usually served at room temperature and white wines, rosés and sparkling wines best served chilled.
- Look: Observe the wine's colour and clarity.
- Smell: Take a moment to swirl the wine gently and then sniff. Identify the aromas.
- Taste: Take a small sip and let it coat your palate. Note the flavours and textures.
- Swallow or Spit: Decide if you want to savour or spit the wine. Pay attention to the aftertaste (finish).
- Be open-minded, and it’s okay if the wine isn’t for you. Just be polite about it!
Rianco offers more fun and easy tips to enjoy a good wine tasting experience at home.
“Gather a selection of different wines to taste. Use proper wine glasses for each type. Have some simple snacks on hand to cleanse your palate, like plain crackers or bread. Take notes as you taste, jotting down your impressions. Consider a theme for your tasting, like wines from a specific region or grape variety. Invite friends or family to join for a fun and educational experience.
"Remember, the most important thing when exploring wine is to enjoy the process and trust your own taste preferences. Wine is a personal journey, and there are no right or wrong answers when it comes to what you like.”
