Think wine tasting skills are beyond your level of expertise? Think again! We’ve all been there – you take a sip of wine at a tasting, listen to someone wax poetic about “forest floor” and “a hint of violet,” and think, “Umm… I just taste, well, wine”? Or maybe the friends around you are raving about the notes and nuances of their glass while you quietly nod, not sure you’re drinking the same thing. If you’ve ever felt self-conscious or doubted your palate, here’s the good news: you are absolutely not alone. And even better? You don’t have to settle for confusion or insecurity about what’s in your glass.
The Myth of the “Superhuman Palate” (And Why It’s Holding You Back)
Wine culture sometimes makes it feel like being able to taste all those wild and wonderful notes is a talent you either have or you don’t—like being born with perfect pitch or the ability to run a marathon. But here’s the truth: wine tasting is not an exclusive club. The biggest mistake you can make on your wine journey is thinking it’s an innate gift, not a skill you can learn.
No one starts out able to rattle off tasting notes or identify every aroma swirling in their glass. Those people at the next table? They weren’t born with magical taste buds. They just learned a process—often by trial and error—and you can, too.
Why This Matters: Wine Tasting Is Supposed To Be Fun
Let’s be clear: wine is meant to be enjoyed, not stress-tested. But if you’ve ever found yourself doubting your skills, feeling like you’re “not good enough” to appreciate wine, or just stuck in a rut, you deserve to know there’s a better way. Confidence around wine doesn’t come from genetics or some secret handshake—it comes from using the right tools, tasting intentionally, and (yes!) giving yourself permission to get it “wrong.”
Ready to build your wine confidence and taste with real enjoyment? Here are five fast ways to level up—without any snobbery.
1. Practice Side-by-Side Comparisons (Stop Tasting in Isolation!)
Most of us drink wine one bottle at a time, either at dinner or with friends. And while a solo glass is delightful, it’s not the fastest way to train your tastebuds. The real game-changer? Comparative tasting.
Just like those “spot the difference” pictures, our brains learn by comparison. Pour a little of two different wines side by side—say, a cool-climate Chardonnay vs. a warm-climate one, or a Pinot Noir next to a Malbec—and pay close attention to what makes them different. Is one brighter or zippier? Does another taste sweeter, oakier, or more tropical?
Write down exactly what you notice, even if it feels simple (“this one is more sour,” “that one smells fruitier”). Over time, you’ll start to connect flavors and textures with grape varieties, regions, and winemaking styles. That’s the secret to building “sommelier” skills—no million-dollar collection required.
Pro tip: Try comparing two wines in the same color (two whites, two reds), or two different grapes you like. Side-by-side, the differences will leap out, and you’ll build your vocabulary effortlessly. Don’t forget to jot down those notes!
2. Engage All Your Senses (Not Just Taste!)
Wine tasting skills aren’t just about your tongue. In fact, your sense of smell is even more powerful than your taste buds when it comes to picking out flavors.
Before taking a sip:
- Look at the wine. Notice color or clarity.
- Swirl your glass—let the aromas open up.
- Take a deep, gentle sniff. Then swirl again and smell one more time—anything new?
- Now, take a sip. Let it wash over your palate, and pay attention to the texture and flavor changes as you swish and savor.
Wine isn’t flat or one-note; it’s a layered experience. By engaging sight, smell, and touch (mouthfeel!), you’re giving yourself the chance to notice those details and remember them the next time. This “six S’s” method—Sight, Swirl, Smell, Sip, Swish, Savor—is your roadmap to becoming a wine noticer (and enjoyer!).
Heads up: This isn’t about fancy technique. Think of it as adding more colors to your tasting “palette.” The more senses you use, the more fun wine gets!
3. Build Your Flavor Vocabulary (Start Simple, Get Specific Over Time)
Ever struggle to describe what you’re tasting? Welcome to the club! Most of us draw a blank when put on the spot, not because we don’t taste it, but because we don’t have the language ready.
Start with the basics:
- Is it fruity? What kind of fruit—red, black, citrus, tropical?
- Does it remind you of herbs, spices, flowers, anything vegetal?
- Any flavors you taste that feel “outside wine”—like coffee, vanilla, smoke?
Don’t stress about specifics. If the best you can do is, “Something smells green” or “It’s kind of jammy,” that’s a win. Over time, tools like aroma wheels and flavor charts can help you drill down, but starting simply is powerful.
If you ever find yourself stuck, try Kristi’s tip from Everyday Sommelier—use a flavor decoder tool (get yours today for only $27!!!) or an aroma chart while tasting. It’ll jog your brain and help you put names to scents and tastes you recognize (but just can’t “find” the word for).
Pro tip: Keep your descriptors honest; “It smells like my grandma’s garden” counts!
4. Keep a Tasting Journal (Your Best Wine Teacher Is YOU)
Memory is tricky—sipping a fantastic Pinot Grigio one night doesn’t mean you’ll remember its crisp apple zing the next time you see it at the store. The solution? Write it down!
Snap a picture of the bottle, use your phone’s notes app, or keep a physical wine journal. Jot down:
- What it smelled and tasted like
- How it felt in your mouth (acidic, creamy, mouthwatering?)
- What you liked or didn’t like about it
Over time, patterns emerge: maybe you love high-acid whites or shy away from oaky reds. This isn’t just about building tasting skills—it’s about discovering what you genuinely like. (And “wines I don’t like” notes are just as valuable.) Your journal becomes your personalized wine roadmap, and you’ll never again draw a blank at the wine shop or restaurant.
5. Minimize Distractions When Tasting Intentionally
This one’s sneaky but oh-so-crucial. If your goal is to build amazing wine tasting skills—not just sip casually—give your senses a fighting chance.
- Avoid strong scents: Perfume, cologne, scented lotions, and even hair spray can overpower wine’s delicate aromas.
- Watch out for toothpaste: Minty freshness before wine = guaranteed “yuck” on your first sip. Wait a bit after brushing or use water to rinse before tasting.
- Choose a neutral setting: Minimize food smells, loud noise, or flashing lights when you really want to focus.
- Check your glass: A musty or dusty glass can taint the whole experience. Give it a quick polish.
These tweaks don’t just help you as a taster—they make wine tasting better for everyone around you. The more neutral the environment, the easier it is for your senses to do their job. Save the scented candles and minty razzle-dazzle for another time!
For more tips on surviving and thriving at Wine Tasting events, check out this episode of EVERYDAY SOMMELIER Podcast!
Why These Steps Matter: Empowering Your Own Wine Tasting Skills Journey
If you’ve ever compared your wine skills to others and felt “not good enough,” it’s time to give yourself a break. Wine tasting is deeply subjective, and everyone—yes, everyone—experiences flavor differently. There’s no “flavor police” waiting to correct you unless you’re in a formal class. Your voice, your notes, and your journey are valid.
Wine tasting skills aren’t about finding the one right answer. They’re about training your senses to notice, enjoy, and connect with each glass on a personal level. Every time you taste, take notes, or compare, you’re building a little more knowledge and confidence. And the best part? You get to decide what you love.
Your Takeaway: You Can Learn to Taste Like a Sommelier—On Your Terms
The secret to wine confidence isn’t pretension, price, or even poetic descriptions. It’s about practice, presence, and play. With a handful of approachable habits—side-by-side tasting, engaging your senses, journaling, and a low-distraction environment—you’ll surprise yourself with just how much you can notice and describe.
So, next time you feel lost in a swirl of tasting notes or unsure about what you’re experiencing, remember:
- You can train your palate.
- Mistakes and wild guesses are part of learning.
- Your opinion is legitimate—and your preferences, valid.
Every bottle, every glass, and every note jotted in your journal is a step toward savoring wine your way.
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Feeling inspired? Share your favorite “aha!” wine tasting moment below, or hit subscribe for more approachable, confidence-building wine advice. And if you want even more tools to boost your skills, head over to Wine-Wise.com or drop Christy a DM on Instagram. Here’s to learning, laughing, and loving every glass—no snobbery required. Cheers!
