Wine Evaluation

The more you learn about tasting wine, the better you will be in evaluating your finished product.  Whatever your level of ability, you need to spend some time critically evaluating your wine.  As your skills in sensory evaluation evolve, you may devise a score pad or evaluation table that you can fill out for each wine you make. 

First, evaluate appearance.  Is the wine clear or cloudy.  Is the color appropriate?  A white wine color of dark amber indicates oxidation in white wine and is not appropriate.  Brown color in red wines is also inappropriate.

Second, evaluate the odor or "nose" (aroma and bouquet) of the wine.  Do you detect a nice, fruity nose.  Do you detect any off-odors?

Third, evaluate the taste.  Does the wine taste good?  Are the major components in the wine balanced?  Is the taste of the wine consistent with its style?  A dry, red wine, for example, should not taste overly sweet.