Taking notes during a wine tasting can be a great way to boost your knowledge and appreciation of wines.

By keeping tabs on different flavors, textures, aromas, and viscosities (all of which make each bottle unique), you can build an appreciation for wine in all its varieties.

You can take any notes you like, of course – they’re just for you, after all – but, for beginner sommeliers looking for guidance on how best to get started, try some of these tips!

First, note all the main details of each bottle you encounter during a wine tasting. Listing out its identifying markers can make it much easier to remember later.

Note things like:

• Winemaker
• Wine’s full name
• Vintage
• Region where the wine originated
• Alcohol percentage
• Price
• Anything else about the bottle that jumps out at you

When you’re sipping wine, your senses take charge and things can feel a little… vague at first. Taking notes helps put your experience into exact words.

Break down all the different scents and tastes like you’re piecing together a puzzle – look for both the subtle hints and the strong blasts of flavor. Perhaps you taste berry or citrus. But what kind of berry? What kind of citrus? Be as specific as you like.

And don’t forget to document how the aromas and flavors change over time within the same bottle!

From tart and tangy to smoky and sweet, there’s an entire world of flavor waiting for you in every glass of wine.

Wine tasting can seem daunting at first, but learning some key description words is a great way to get more comfortable with identifying all the structural elements. Here are a few to keep in mind:

• Dry
• Acidic
• Earthy
• Fruity
• Smooth
• Woody
• Sweet

See how many of these you can identify during the wine tasting. And feel free to think outside the box with your creative descriptions in order to easily identify each note you’re noticing!

Enjoying a glass of wine doesn’t just mean sipping and savoring the flavor at the beginning – discovering its finish can be equally rewarding.

A wine’s “finish” refers to the length of time it lingers on your palate. Generally speaking, richer finishes signal higher quality wines.

You can start simple: does the wine have a short finish? A medium? Or maybe even a long finish?

Going beyond that, you can also note what kind of aftertaste you experience: tingly and tart for light whites, or soft and smooth for reds? How about freshness from juicy rosés? Whether subtle or strong, jot down what you think of the sip’s big finish!

After tasting and taking notes on various wines, wrap it all up with your personal summary.

Many people find it useful and helpful for summarizing those final thoughts with some type of rating system; whether it be stars, wine glasses, numbers out of 10, or even some whimsical emojis – whatever works for you!