The concept of "wine tasting" can be intimidating to those that have never done it. Wine tasting is actually a very simple, and enjoyable, experience. The main goal of wine tasting is to assess a wine's quality- this is done by analyzing the colors, aromas, flavors, and structure of a wine. The simplest way to do this is by using a technique called the 5 S's.

The 5 S's of tasting wine:

• Sight- observe color of the wine and the legs on the wineglass (indicators of viscosity)
• Swirl- gently swirl the wine in the glass.  This opens the wine and makes it more approachable, also releasing the wine’s aromas.
• Smell- quickly sniff the wine, observing the aromatic qualities.  What does the wine smell like?  What does the aroma remind you off?  Get creative.  The majority of a wine’s flavor lies in its aroma profile.
• Sip- sip the wine, and let it coat your palate.  Gently glide the wine over your tongue and around your mouth. Notice the wine's texture and "mouthfeel." You can also use the “reverse whistle” technique to enhance the wine’s flavors as it enters your mouth.
• Spit- if there are too many wines to taste, it’s always a good idea to spit.  Swallowing works too (and also starts with an S).

In this video, Anton demonstrates the 5 S's with Duca d'Amalfi, an unusual northern Italian white wine that is a blend of Pinot Grigio and Riesling: