DRINKING WINE CULTURE – THE PROPER WAY TO ENJOY WINE

Wine is not just a drink, but a door that opens to the world of culture, history and culinary art. Enjoying a glass of wine is not about getting “drunk”, but a delicate journey to get “drunk in the substance” – drunk on the seductive aroma, drunk on the complex delicious taste and drunk on the story behind each drop of wine.
Many people when starting out often have certain confusion. Are you: Holding the bowl of the wine glass, causing the wine to warm up quickly?
Pouring wine more than half way, or even almost full?

Drinking it in one gulp as quickly as drinking water?
If so, don't worry. Anyone has those initial steps. InWine will accompany you, sharing detailed secrets so that you can enjoy a glass of wine in the most complete and stylish way.

1. Pouring Wine:

The Standard Lies in the Wine Level This is the first but extremely important step, deciding your enjoyment experience. Note: Only pour wine into about 1/3 of the glass for red wine and 1/2 of the glass for white or rose wine.
Why?
Space for aroma: Leaving a large space in the glass will create space for the wine's aromatic molecules to be released and converge. This is a prerequisite for you to be able to fully perceive the complex "bouquet" of aroma of wine.
Easy to rotate the glass (shake the wine): This space allows you to gently rotate the wine glass safely without fear of spilling it. This is an indispensable step to "awaken" the wine.
Temperature control: Pouring a little at a time helps you drink all the wine in the glass before it is changed by the ambient temperature, especially important for white and rose wines that need to be kept cold

2. Holding the Wine Glass:
Subtlety From the Touch The way you hold the wine glass not only shows your connoisseurship but also directly affects the quality of the wine.

Note: Always hold the glass by the stem or base. Never cup the bowl with your palm.

Why?
Avoid heat transfer: The heat from your palm (around 37°C) will quickly warm the wine. Each wine has an ideal serving temperature to bring out its best flavors. Warming the wine will break down the structure and ruin the inherent flavor experience.
Keep the glass clean & clear: Holding the glass by the stem helps keep the bowl free of fingerprints, allowing you to observe and admire the color, clarity and viscosity of the wine most clearly.

3. Swirl the Glass: Awaken the Aromas. This is an artistic gesture with a clear scientific basis.

Note: After pouring, place the glass on the table or hold it firmly by the stem, then gently rotate your wrist to create a circular motion for the wine inside.

Why?
Helps the wine "breathe": When you swirl the glass, the contact area between the wine and the air increases significantly. This slight oxidation process helps the aromatic compounds "locked" in the wine to be released. You will be surprised to see that the aroma of the wine becomes much more intense, rich and clear after swirling.
Soften Tannins: For young red wines, exposing the wine to oxygen helps soften the astringency (tannin), making the wine smoother and easier to drink.

4. Tasting Process: Look - Smell - Taste Wine tasting is a multi-sensory experience. Follow the "Look - Smell - Taste" sequence to not miss anything interesting.

Step 1: Look: Tilt the wine glass gently on a white background (like a napkin or a piece of paper). Observe its color. Color can reveal the age and grape variety. Young red wines are often ruby or purple, while older wines will have a brick or brown color.

Step 2: Smell: Put your nose deep into the mouth of the glass and take a deep breath. Try to identify the aromas you recognize. Are they fruity (cherry, strawberry, passion fruit), floral, oaky, or earthy, leathery? This is the most interesting discovery step.

Step 3: Taste: Take a moderate sip. Don't swallow too quickly. Hold and hold the wine in your mouth for about 5-10 seconds, gently swirling the wine to contact every corner of your mouth, from the tip of your tongue (feeling the sweetness) to the sides of your tongue (feeling the sourness). This helps you fully perceive the layers of flavor: sweetness, acidity, tannins, and the "body" of the wine. Finally, when swallowing, pay attention to the aftertaste and flavor that lingers after drinking.

Drinking wine properly is not about rigid rules to show off your class, but scientific methods to help you unlock and fully enjoy the passion of the winemaker. It is a respect for the product and also a way for you to enrich your own experience.

At InWine, we do not just sell quality bottles of wine. Above all, we want to become your companion, sharing knowledge and passion on the journey to discover the colorful world of wine. Start your journey to become a connoisseur of wine today.