3 Quick Cheats to Tasting Wine Like a Pro
Learning to taste wine doesn’t need to be complicated. Once you know a few simple cues, you can quickly tell a wine’s style, balance, and overall character.
Here are three quick cheats that I rely on when tasting wine.
1. Acidity – The Mouth-Watering Test
Acidity is the backbone of a wine. It’s what gives Sauvignon Blanc its zing, keeps Riesling lively, and adds brightness to many Italian reds, making them great with food.
The cheat: After you take a sip, pay attention to how much your mouth waters.
A lot of saliva? → High acidity.
A little? → Medium acidity.
Barely any? → Low acidity.
Think of acidity like the squeeze of lemon in a dish; it wakes everything up.
Wines with high acidity feel fresh, crisp, and clean. In contrast, low-acid wines taste rounder, softer, and mellower.
High Acidity Wines: Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chianti, Champagne
Low Acidity Wines: Viognier, Merlot, many warm-climate Chardonnays
Why it matters: If you like refreshing wines you can drink with food (or on a sunny day), you’re probably an acidity lover.
2. Alcohol – The Gentle Throat-Warmth Gauge
Alcohol doesn’t just sit in your mouth; you can feel it.
After you swallow, notice what is happening at the back of your throat.
Higher alcohol: A warm, slightly burning sensation. They feel bigger, richer, fuller.
Lower alcohol: No warmth at all, feel lighter, softer, and juicier.
It’s not about “better”, it’s about style.
Higher Alcohol Wines: Zinfandel, Amarone, many Australian Shiraz
Lower Alcohol Wines: Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, Vinho Verde
Why it matters: If you enjoy plush, bold wines with a bit of oomph, that warm finish is your friend. If you prefer gentle, easy-drinking styles, watch for lower ABV.
3. Tannins – The Dry Gum Test
Tannins come from grape skins, seeds, and oak barrels.
That’s why red wine, and some orange wines, are the usual suspects. They’re responsible for that dry, grippy, almost suede-like feeling in your mouth.
The cheat: Focus on your gums. If they feel dry or textured, you’ve got tannins.
Dry mouth and gums? → High tannins
A bit of texture? → Medium tannins
Soft, smooth, no dryness? → Low tannins
Once you notice it, you’ll feel it in every sip
High Tannin Wines: Barolo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Nebbiolo
Low Tannin Wines: Pinot Noir, Gamay, many light Italian reds
Why it matters: Tannins add structure and help wine age well, but not everyone enjoys that drying feeling.
Putting It All Together – Your Personal Wine Blueprint
These three cheats—acidity, alcohol, and tannins—shape how a wine feels in your mouth.
Once you know how to recognise them, you can predict whether you’ll enjoy a wine before you finish the first glass.
For example:
Love fresh, zippy whites? → You’re an acidity lover.
Love bold reds with power? → Higher alcohol + medium to high tannins.
Love smooth, silky, easy sippers? → Lower alcohol + low tannins.
Suddenly, wine becomes far less mysterious and a whole lot more fun.