Taking your first steps in wine: advice from La Sommelière
The world of wine is no longer the domain of connoisseurs alone. Today, anyone can learn about oenology and discover the subtleties of this fascinating world. To help you take your first steps, here's what La Sommelière has to say.
1. PLEASURE: Learn to identify what you like
The first rule when it comes to wine is to enjoy yourself. Start by identifying the wines and appellations you like. During dinners, parties or tastings, take the time to note down or take photos of the bottles that have made an impression on you. This habit will enable you to find these wines easily at your wine shop or on the shelves of your supermarket.
As you accumulate these references, you'll begin to spot the wine styles and regions you prefer: southern wines with warm aromas, complex wines with evolving flavors, dry and mineral wines, or sweet and syrupy wines. It's important to listen to yourself and trust your own tastes. Wine is above all a matter of pleasure and discovery.
2. CURIOSITY: Dare to explore new horizons
Once you've got an idea of what you like, it's time to let your curiosity do the talking. The world of wine is vast and rich, and to take full advantage of it, you need to venture beyond your usual choices. Don't hesitate to ask your wine merchant questions, read wine books or online articles, and take part in wine tastings.
Your curiosity may also lead you to compare wines from the same grape variety but from different regions. For example, if you like Burgundy reds, broaden your horizons by looking for other wines made from the same grape variety, Pinot Noir, in France (as in Alsace) but also in other countries (New Zealand, California, Germany, etc.). Comparison is an excellent way to understand and appreciate the nuances brought about by terroir, climate and winemaking methods.
3. MEMORY: develop your ability to memorize aromas and flavors
Wine tasting calls on all your senses, but especially your olfactory memory. Remembering the names of grape varieties, appellations and wine-growing regions is part of the learning process, but remembering aromas and flavors is just as crucial.
Practice regularly memorizing the smells you encounter in your daily life: the smell of fruit in the market, the scent of flowers in the garden, the aromas wafting from the kitchen. This practice will help you to identify and name the scents you perceive during a tasting session more easily. Aroma memory is like a muscle: the more you work it, the stronger it gets.
You can also keep a small tasting notebook. Write down the wines you taste, the aromas and flavors you experience, and your general impressions. This notebook will become an invaluable resource for tracking your progress and refining your palate over time.
4. TRAINING: Taste, compare and share
The best way to learn to appreciate wine is to practice. And what better way than to do it over an evening with friends? Turn these moments into a fun, educational wine-tasting experience. For example, buy three bottles of wine from three different grape varieties (such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Viognier) and serve them to your guests. Compare the wines, share your impressions and discuss the differences you feel.
The aim is not to find the "best" wine, but to note the nuances and particularities of each grape variety, terroir and winemaking method. By comparing your sensations and listening to those of others, you'll learn to refine your own perception.
You can also take part in tasting workshops, oenology courses or vineyard visits to deepen your knowledge and enrich your experience.
5. Taste and gain confidence
Introducing yourself to wine is a personal and unique journey. It's not about knowing all the great vintages or mastering the vocabulary of oenology overnight. The important thing is to enjoy yourself and gain confidence in your tastes. The more you taste, the more you'll learn to spot flavors and describe what you like.
The world of wine is an endless adventure of learning and pleasure. So take your first steps with curiosity, memory and an open mind. And above all, remember: wine is meant to be shared and enjoyed, without judgment or pretension.
So, ready to embark on the wine adventure?