It’s mid-January, we’re back on track after the holidays, and with one major New Year’s resolution to share with you – get out of the wine rut.

 

Ever find that happening to you? You’re drinking the same wine because either you don’t know what to try next, or you can’t imagine that there’s anything you’d like as much, so it’s easier to keep drinking what you’ve been drinking – maybe trying a new label, but not a new varietal. After all, if you like Super Tuscans, why bother trying a structured Cabernet or anything that isn’t a red.

 

The thing is, when you do try something new, sometimes you surprise yourself. I, for example, don’t like port, have never liked port, and rarely try it “just to see.” However, I did try a new, lighter, red than I usually drink, and liked it enough that I’ll not only buy the new one again, I’m encouraged to try other wines from that area.

 

Wine tastings – whether you put them on yourself or attend one of ours – are a really good way to try new wines. If you do them at home, invite a half dozen friends, and plan ahead to make the most of it. We’ll post tips on setting up your own next week, but here – courtesy of Marie Griffin, one of our West Coast wine supervisors – are some things to look for when attending any wine tasting, to help you get the most out of the experience:

 

The color of a wine indicates age, concentration and quality. By tipping the glass up to the light, or against a white background, you should be able to tell if it’s clear and brilliant.

ROSÉ and light RED wines will be lighter in flavor, while dark red wines will be fuller in flavor. Rosé wine is pale pink when young and develops a warm orange hue with age. An overly pronounced red or orange color in a rosé is a defect. Red wines when young are usually deep purple and then become brick-red when mature. When brownish-red, they’re generally too old.

 

Light white wines are palest in color. Sweet white wines are usually darker in color than dry white wines. White wines begin clear yellow or greenish and then turn golden with age.

 

This is the fruity, “grapey” scent in a young wine. The bouquet is a product of bottle age, and most good wines will develop it if allowed to mature.

 

One thing to remember….taste is an individual thing. If you like the wine, don’t let anyone change your mind. You may taste sweetness in a wine, while the person next to you may not. The term “dry” is the opposite of sweet.