Beginner’s Guide to Wine – 10 Wine Tips
Explore the world of wines. Our essential wine tips will help you to enjoy your wine tasting and become a knowledgeable wine expert.
1. Select the right glass
The wine may taste the same no matter what glass you use to drink it.
It’s not true.
When your wine is exposed to oxygen after it has been removed from the bottle, its taste and aroma can be altered. The correct glass is essential for serving wine, as it will determine how much oxygen the wine is exposed to. The right glass will bring out the flavours and aromatics that you don’t want to miss.
Bonus tip on wine! There’s no need to rifle through the glassware section of your local high-street store. Certain wines require specific glasses. However, a universal-style wine glass, tulip-shaped with a medium-sized bowl and tapering to the top for maximum aromas, will work well for many wines.
Could you view our complete range of wine glasses?
2. Taste your wine
Avoid gulping down wine.
You can fully appreciate and taste the wine’s style and flavours by sipping it.
Swirl the wine for a few seconds in your glass before drinking (drawing circles on a flat surface with the base of the glass is an easy way to try this action!) Take a sniff and enjoy the aromas of the wine as soon as they emerge.
Take a small sip of wine and then hold it on your tongue for a few seconds before swallowing. This will allow you to taste the different layers of flavour.
Learn more about how to taste wine like a pro.
3. Serving your wine at the correct temperature
Does it really matter what temperature you serve your wine at?
We all agree that food tastes different when it is too hot or cold. Warm beer and melting ice cream, for example, taste bitter.
The temperature of wine also impacts its taste, aroma, and texture. To get the most out of your wine, you should serve it at its ideal temperature. It depends on the wine type, but generally, reds should be served at room temperature. Whites and roses are better chilled.
Of course, there are a few variations to be made. Light reds without the tooth-furring tannins of heavier styles can be served chilled or even cellar-cool. Richer whites from classic regions such as Burgundy should not be overchilled.
You can find out more about how to serve wine by reading our guide on wine temperature.
4. Learn about wine terminology
Aroma. Body. Tannins. What does vintage mean?!
It’s important to note that there is a great deal of wine terminology. While only professionals need to be familiar with all of it, knowing a few terms can make wine exploration more exciting and successful. Understanding the wine jargon will also help you determine your personal preferences.
To get you started, here are a few common terms:
Vintage: The year that the grapes and wine were harvested.
The Body is the weight and the richness of the wine. (Full-bodied and heavy wines have a rich and heavy taste, while lighter-bodied wines have a light and fresher feel).
Acidity: The level of tartness or crispness in a beverage. Acidity is an important component of wine. It adds freshness and balance.
Dry vs. sweet are terms that describe the amount of residual sugar in wine. Dry wines are low in sugar and have a less sweet taste, while sweet wines have an enjoyable sweetness. Although technically dry, some wines may have a particularly ripe taste due to their ripeness.
The tannins are almost exclusively found in red wine. They come from the skins of grapes as well as the pips. They give a wine structure and help it age. While a certain amount of tannin can be enjoyable, it will also make your mouth feel “furry”. These tannins are balanced out by drinking these wines with food. Alternatively, the tannins can be softened by allowing the wine to age.
5. How to store your wine?
Storing wine involves more than just putting it in the cupboard until you’re ready to drink it. One of our practical wine tips is to store wine in a way that will not affect its taste.
All wine bottles should be stored in a cool and dry area, away from direct sunlight. The aromas and flavours of your wine will last longer if you keep the temperature stable. The ideal solution is a cellar, but you can also use a rack in a closet, under the stairs, or in a cool, dark room. Never store wine next to a heater! If you have a wine cooler or fridge, it’s possible to keep wine at the right temperature.
Store bottles horizontally with corks. If you are planning to drink your wine within the next few weeks, this is not as important. However, if the wine will be kept for a long time – say six months or more – it’s best to store it lying down to keep the cork moist. Screwcap bottles can be stored either horizontally or upright.
Tips and tricks to store wine at home
6. Discover different food and wine pairings
Wine and food are like strawberries and cream. There’s a wine to match it.
Why not add a complimentary bottle to your favourite meals? Different wines go well with other dishes around the world. You could host a dinner with your friends and have everyone bring their favourite dish along with a wine that matches it.
It’s fun to explore food and wine pairings but remember that if it works for you, then the match is right. There are no rules.
Find out more about wine and food pairings.
7. Note down the wines that you enjoy
It’s easy to forget what wines you have tried or what you liked as you taste and sample different wines. Write them down or snap a picture of the label.
Note the name of every wine you have tasted. This will help you select new wines in the future. Also, write down your impressions and a short description.
Laithwaites makes this process simple. Log in to your account, then click on Beyond the Label. Online, you can find out the juicy details and background stories behind each wine that you have tried. You can add a wine to your ‘Favourites’ list if you’d like to remember it in the future.
8. Try something new without fear
It’s good to try something new, especially with the variety of grapes and wine styles available.
It’s best to try different wines to discover your preferences and learn more about wine. So don’t hesitate to give a new wine a shot. Online sites will often make alternative suggestions based on what you like.
9. Wine tasting is a great way to learn about the world of wine
Wine tastings, which wineries and companies hold to showcase their product range, allow wine novices to learn from wine experts while also trying something new.
Booking in advance is required for most tastings. You may also have to pay a fee. However, the information and advice that you receive and the opportunity to taste different types of wine will be well worth it.
As an alternative, you could host your wine tastings at home. This is a fun way to spend the evening with your friends.
Discover a wide range of wines during our regular Laithwaites Festival of Wine London.
10. Join a Wine Club
This is our final tip. Wine clubs allow you to receive top-quality, expertly selected wines at your doorstep without having to break the bank. Some wine clubs offer exclusive offers, reward points, or even the ability to customize the wines to your taste.
Joining a Laithwaites Wine Subscription will allow you to receive 12 carefully selected wines delivered right to your doorstep every three months. Members will also enjoy exclusive discounts of up to 20% on each case, as well as exciting bonuses like upgrading your 1.5-litre magnum bottle or luxury bottle.
