Look You can tell much about a wine simply by studying its appearance. The wine should be poured into a clear glass and held in front of a white background (a tablecloth or piece of paper will serve nicely) so that you can examine the colour.

Rim colour: You can guess the age of a red wine by observing its "rim." Tilt the glass slightly and look at the edge of the wine. A purple tint may indicate youth while orange to brown indicates maturity.

Smell Swirl your wine. This releases molecules in the wine allowing you to smell the aroma, also called the bouquet or nose.

Taste The most important quality of a wine is its balance between sweetness and acidity.

1. Initial taste: This is where the wine awakens your senses (your taste buds respond to sensations).
2. Taste: Slosh the wine around and draw in some air Examine the body and texture of the wine. Is it light or rich? Smooth or harsh?
3. Aftertaste: The taste that remains in your mouth after you have swallowed the wine. How long did the taste last? Was it pleasant?