Taste Like a Somm: A Beginner’s Guide to Wine Tasting

by Raravina Team

Welcome to the nosey crowd. At Raravina, we believe tasting wine shouldn’t feel intimidating—it should feel like following your curiosity. Whether you’re just getting started or refining your palate, this guide will walk you through the essentials of tasting wine with confidence and pleasure.

1. Look, Swirl, Sniff, Sip

Look: Hold your glass up to the light or against a white surface. Notice the wine’s colour, clarity, and depth. Red wines can range from pale ruby to deep garnet; whites from lemon to golden. These clues tell you about age, grape variety, and style.

Swirl: Give your glass a gentle swirl. This releases aromas by exposing the wine to oxygen. You might also notice "legs" (the streaks that form on the inside of the glass), which hint at alcohol and sugar content.

Sniff: Take a few short sniffs, then a deeper inhale. What comes to mind? You might notice fruit (fresh or cooked), florals, herbs, spices, or earthy notes. Don’t worry about naming everything perfectly—just start by noticing what stands out.

Sip: Take a small sip and let it coat your palate. Consider the texture, balance, and how the flavours evolve. Is it crisp and citrusy? Silky and smooth? Does the flavour linger or fade quickly?

2. Common Wine Flavours: A Quick Cheat-Sheet

Fruit: Lemon, lime, green apple, peach, cherry, blackberry
Floral: Elderflower, violet, rose, orange blossom
Herbal: Mint, thyme, eucalyptus, green bell pepper
Spice: Black pepper, clove, cinnamon, vanilla
Earthy: Mushroom, forest floor, wet stone
Oak: Toast, cedar, smoke, baking spices

3. Aroma Wheel Snapshot

Wine aromas are often grouped by category and intensity. Lighter, primary aromas (like citrus and flowers) typically come from the grape itself, while secondary and tertiary aromas (like vanilla or leather) come from winemaking and ageing. You can view our full article on the Wine Aroma Wheel here.

4. Tips from Our Sommeliers

“Don’t overthink it. Taste first, then read the notes. Your own reaction is part of the experience.” – The Raravina Somm Team

Wine tasting is deeply personal. Start with what you enjoy, stay open to surprise, and use your own words.

5. Taste in Context

Wine doesn’t exist in a vacuum. How it tastes can depend on the glass you use, what you’re eating, and even your mood. The more you taste in real settings—with friends, over dinner, on a sunny terrace—the more confident your palate will become.