Wine Tasting

A 12 - 15 ounce tulip shaped glass is useful for the tasting and drinking of table wines.  Red wines should be served at about 65°F and white wine should be served from 55 - 60°F.  To taste the wine, fill the glass 1/3 or less full and swirl the wine around to get the molecules up in the air.  Sniff the wine and savor the aroma and bouquet.  To help you describe what you smell, you may want to obtain the wine aroma wheel developed at the University of California at Davis.  Taste the wine by taking some in your mouth and rolling it around your tongue.  Note the sweet, sour and bitter tastes and the balance and body of the wine. 

If you decide to grow grapes or make wine from those locally grown, the best way to learn what you like is to visit Missouri wineries and taste the wines in their tasting rooms.  Sample, ask questions and take note of what you like.  Visit the Wonderful Wines of Missouri website for more information on Missouri wineries or see the listing of Missouri Wineries at the Paul Evans Library of Fruit Science website.  You may also wish to join the Missouri Winemaking Society, a non-profit organization of amateur winemakers in the state.