Welcome to a fun article about the 5 Ss of Wine Tasting. And this is dedicated to the incredible Ricord Merlot that is scarce, and yet so desired by all that have been blessed with its presence. We have been through quite the Journey with Wine. And for Several Years Blessed with having our Own Labels and Releases of some Incredible Works of Liquid Art. To keep the knowledge alive and out there, what is in my opinion the base knowledge for enjoying Wine is the 5 Ss. See It, Swirl It, Sniff/Smell, Sip and Savor, and then Spit or Swallow. And the breakdowns continue below.
Starting out with the First of the 5 Ss of Wine Tasting:
This would be where I enjoy the start of what is going to be an Experience. For within each bottled up Wine is a Magic that is waiting to be released, enjoyed and hopefully remembered. And this is the Journey of Each Bottle of Wine. The First S is the See It. The First Pour to the Best Suited Wine Connoisseur in the Party. Poured just enough to let the Body of the Wine, the Colors and the Fullness to the Creation Before you. It is there sitting in the Glass. And it is waiting to be admired, in the same way your Date is all Dressed Up and in Best Presentation for you to Gaze and Enjoy. This is where the Experience Begins. You are committed. The Bottle has been Opened, the “Magic” has been released. And now it is being put on display, on a pedestal to be Welcomed into Memory if all goes Well.
Going to the Second of the 5 Ss of Wine Tasting:
Getting warmed up to this incredible Liquid Art before us. This is the Nose of it all. The Sniff or Smell of the Wine in the Glass. Often a good sniff of the Cork and Inspection of the Cork for signs of a deep wine coating on the Cork that was in the inside of the Bottle. A good sniff for signs of happiness, and hopefully not moldy smells. (Have had this a few times in my life, and its Sad for Many Reasons, mainly that the Bottle of Wine is not going to be Enjoyed). Then its smelling the Wine in the Glass to pull the Enjoyment from the Sense of Smell.
Moving into the Third of the 5 Ss of Wine Tasting:
This is the Swirl of the Wine. Allowing it to open up and Breathe a bit before you taste it. A step that if it is not treated with a decanter or aerated can be avoided. However, this is a ritual habit for me none-the-less. I like to get it swirling so that oxygen bubbles are visible in the moving wine around the Glass. I’ll note if you do not have time to properly allow the Wine to open up and breathe, there are some tricks. And great tools you can “cheat” the process with. But a great deal happens with a Swirl. From here you get to move on past the visual and smell of the Liquid Art.
Now for the Taste as we go into the Fourth of the 5 Ss of Wine Tasting:
Sip, Savor. It is not Tasting. It is sips to savor and take in all the attributes and journey of the making of this Wine. This is focused and with purpose to see what notes there are in this Wine. Earthy Tones and Tastes? Fruit? Leather? Floral Attributes? All of the things we get to Discover as we Sip and Savor. There is a Sip, Savor and Swish/Chewing of the Wine to Add more Oxygen and Open it up even more for your Taste Buds to jump onto like a Blanket. The more you allow your Taste Buds and Sensory points within your Mouth, the more you are able to pick up the subtleties as well as the bold front faced attributes of the Wine.
And finally the Fifth of the 5 Ss of Wine Tasting:
This is the moment. You may be in for a wonderful night of Wine Tasting. Or you may be enjoying just one Varietal with the Meal. Or you may be on a Tasting Journey for the Afternoon and into the Evening. Whatever the situations, this is where Spit or Swallow enters the 5 Ss. I can tell you from tasting many wines on an afternoon, the Spit comes in Handy when you are dealing with not getting Drunk as you enjoy and take in many wines. But there is never more enjoyment from the Swallow. And this is the absolute best way to complete the 5 Ss of Wine Tasting.
Now it is onto the Next Journey with even more Magic Trapped into the next Bottle. And should you run across a Ricord Merlot, be sure to conduct the 5 Ss knowing we wish we were there with you.