Sound Like a Wine Expert in Under Five Minutes

Fool even the sommelier with these tips

Love drinking wine, but don’t know anything about it? Don’t worry, with these five tips you’ll sound and look like an expert in no time.

Hold the glass correctly
Don’t look like a rookie by holding the glass by the ‘goblet’, instead always hold it by the stem. That keeps the wine temperature intact longer, and don’t even think of lifting your little pinkie. For obvious reasons.

via Instagram @shaunbirley

Practise the five ‘S’s’
Every time you’re asked to taste the wine, make sure you do the five S’s in order: See, Swirl, Sniff, Sip, and Savor. It’s simple, effective and you’ll look like a pro.

Ask for recommendations
If the menu is particularly detailed; get some good intel from the waiter or the sommelier. Ask for their recommendations and then take them. Done deal.

Know what not to do
Firstly, don’t try and name a wine if you don’t think you can pronounce it (but spend a little time learning to pronounce the basics at least!). Also, if you’re hosting a dinner party don’t splurge on over-the-top red wine, instead get a less expensive wine and decant it for at least 30 minutes. It’ll make it taste like double the price you spent on it.