Review the basics of wine tasting

By Metro Creative Services

Before planning a wine-tasting party, review some basics. The main difference between wines rests in their tannin levels, or astringent flavors. Sometimes tannin levels balance fruity taste. Other times, the taste is more acidic.

Here are the three main ways to determine flavor -- use them to help your guests understand wines at your party.

Sight: If it's a red wine, tip the glass back and forth, and watch the liquid flow down the sides of the glass. Some wines will form "legs." Wines with legs have higher glycerin levels, and are better at holding flavor and aroma. Also, the lighter the wine, the younger it is.

Smell: Swirl the glass around, and then smell the wine by keeping the glass a short distance from the nose. Inhale, and move the glass away from the nose. You're determining the "nose of the wine." Look for fruit and grass scents. Sometimes, a discernible scent will be difficult to find initially.

Taste: Swish the wine around in your mouth, soaking your tongue. Sometimes, a dominant taste will be evident immediately. Other times, conflicting tastes emerge. Look for a taste of wood, which comes from the barrels the wine was stored in. Also check for aftertastes, another way to judge a good wine.