Discover the Magic of Wine Tasting In Elk Grove
If you’re an aspiring Elk Grove wine connoisseur, then you know there’s no better way to learn about wines than to taste them. But have you ever thought about what it truly takes to determine the quality and flavor of a glass of vino? Hang onto your spittoon – we’re going to venture into the wonderous world of wine tasting, guided by the 5 classic S’s!
Wine Tasting
We’re in wine country after all, and what’s the cherry on top of a Northern California day besides enjoying a glass of wine?
Wine Club
The best way to experience Sierra Vista’s Winery and Vineyards is by joining one of our exclusive Wine Clubs!
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Enjoy our wine and lovely views in your own personal wine tasting experience. Now available for reservations!
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– The 5 Classic S’s –
See
First, take a good look at your wine. Is it clear and brilliant like your winning personality, or cloudy and dull like Monday mornings?
For the best glimpse, hold your glass over a white surface in natural light.
The color of the wine can give you hints about the grape variety, and if it was aged in wood. The intensity of the color within each varietal offers a preview of what flavors lie ahead. As a general rule, stronger color means stronger flavor.
Swirl
Next, enhance your wine experience by learning the art of swirling. No need to be intimidated by fancy techniques – just use a table!
Follow these simple steps:
- Make sure there’s enough room at the top of the glass (to avoid any messy mishaps).
- Put your glass down on the table.
- Holding the stem firmly, draw small circles on the table with your glass.
- Keep swirling for about 20-30 seconds.
Why swirl at all?
Sometimes, when you first pour a glass of wine, it’s hard to smell anything other than the alcohol.
But swirling aerates the wine, which opens up its aromas, and helps you to detect its subtler notes.
Sniff
Smelling a wine before tasting it is essential to fully experience its quality. But don’t just give it a quick sniff – feel free to shove your entire nose right into the glass and move it around to pick up as many different aromas as you can!
With time and practice, you’ll be able to recognize even the most subtle notes and fully appreciate the complexity of wine.
If you’re new to wine tasting, don’t worry if you don’t pick up on specific aromas right away. It takes practice. Just keep on sniffing your way through each sample. With experience, your nose will begin to identify different wine aromas more easily.
Sip
The moment has finally arrived! It’s time to take your first sip of wine. It may have taken a few steps to get here, but it’s well worth the wait.
To properly taste the wine, take a slightly larger sip than usual and hold it in your mouth for 3-5 seconds. Swish it around like mouthwash, and try to suck in some air while doing so. This technique may take some practice, but it’s the best way to ensure the wine hits every part of your palate, so you can properly evaluate it.
Look for sweetness, fruitiness, saltiness, acidity, bitterness, and alcohol. What’s your overall impression? Is the wine balanced? Does any single component overpower all the others?
And, most important of all: Do you like it?
Savor
When it comes to tasting a wine, the finish is just as important as the initial taste. But what is the “finish,” exactly? Well, it’s the sensation you get after swallowing the wine.
So, how do you savor the finish?
Start by paying attention to how the wine makes you feel. Does it transport you back to a certain memory? Do the flavors develop as the wine sits in the glass over time?
Pay attention to how long the wine’s taste lingers. Some wines can stay with you for as long as a minute. A good finish should leave you wanting more, with a perfect balance of fruit, acidity, tannin, and texture.
With the 5 classic S’s in your pocket, you’re now ready to differentiate between a great vintage and a run-of-the-mill bottle in Elk Grove.
Be brave, be bold, and experiment with different types of wines until you find your own personal favorites.
If you’re ready for an unforgettable experience – or simply want to perfect your palate – try a wine tasting at Sierra Vista Vineyards & Winery today! Take one of our wine tours. Or join the Wine Club.
So go ahead – Pop off the cork and dive into something new. Cheers!
Wine Specials
We’ve been wowing wine enthusiasts with our award-winning vintages year after year. Our legacy of premium grapes combined with the expert craftsmanship of our expert winemakers produce special, hand-crafted wines of unparalleled quality.
About Sierra Vista Winery
“An El Dorado Original”
Over 45 years ago, Sierra Vista pioneered the way for the Sierra Foothills when it purchased it’s property in 1972. Once the land was cleared, the first vineyard was planted in 1974. The topography, soils and altitudes in the vineyard create varied micro climates consistent with some of the best known grape growing regions of the world including Côtes du Rhône, Bordeaux and Burgundy. After 3 years of production, construction and wine making, the winery was open for business in 1977 as one of the first El Dorado County wineries in modern day history. Sierra Vista have been creating award winning wines year after year. Today, the legacy of their premium grapes together with fine artisan wine making produce quality hand crafted wines and maintains its status as one of the oldest continuing run wineries in all of the Sierra Foothills.
CHEERS!
JIM CZACHOROWSKI – OWNER