A Very Unpretentious Guide to Wine Tasting

Let’s get one thing straight: I grew up in the Willamette Valley. Which means two things—first, I can spell “Willamette” without Googling it, and second, I’ve been surrounded by Pinot Noir since before I could legally drink it. Which is kind of like growing up next to the Louvre but being told not to look at the paintings. Spoiler: I looked. And tasted. And now I’m here to help you enjoy wine tasting without needing to own a velvet blazer or use the word “unctuous” in a sentence.

Because let’s be honest—wine tasting can feel like being dropped into a secret society where everyone speaks fluent Sommelier and you’re just trying not to pronounce “Viognier” like a sneeze.

But wine is for everyone. Not just hedge fund managers and people who say “I’m getting notes of forest floor” like that’s a normal thing to drink.

So here are some wine-tasting tips, straight from a small-town Oregon kid who’s navigated more wine flights than airline ones and lived to tell the tale.

1. You Don’t Have to Know Anything to Enjoy It

Despite what that guy next to you swirling his glass like he’s trying to hypnotize it might say, you don’t need a degree in oenology to enjoy wine. You just need a mouth and some curiosity. If it tastes good to you, congratulations—you’re doing it right. This isn’t a standardized test, it’s a beverage.

Yes, there are “proper” ways to taste wine. Swirl. Sniff. Sip. Swish. (Spit, if you must. But we don’t waste good Pinot where I’m from.) But if you skip a step, the wine police will not break through the door like a SWAT team made of disappointed French people.

2. Ask the Dumb Questions

“What’s the difference between this Pinot and that Pinot?” “What exactly is a tannin?” “Why does this wine smell like the inside of my grandpa’s shed?” These are all valid questions.

Any tasting room worth its corks will be thrilled to educate you. If they aren’t, you’re not the problem—they are. Wine shouldn’t feel like a gatekept club. It’s fermented grape juice. Let’s not pretend it’s the Rosetta Stone.

3. Take Notes the Way You Understand

Forget the tasting card that says things like “elegant finish” or “voluptuous mid-palate.” (Seriously, who is writing these? Wine Fifty Shades of Grey?) Make notes that make sense to you.

“This one tastes like raspberry jam got into a fight with a cedar plank.” Great. “This smells like summer camp but in a good way.” Even better. Your palate is your palate, not a thesis defense.

4. Food Is Your Best Friend

Want to know what makes wine tasting way more fun and way less intimidating? Food. Even a basic cheese board can turn “I’m not sure about this one” into “I would fight a bear for this pairing.”

Bonus: Food also helps you not end up singing Celine Dion in a tasting room bathroom after your third pour. Not that I’ve done that. (Okay, I’ve definitely done that.)

5. There’s No “Right” Way to Wine

You can be someone who drinks rosé from a mason jar on a tailgate and still be a wine lover. You can enjoy wine on a hike, at a picnic, in your pajamas on a Tuesday night while watching John Oliver yell about infrastructure. Wine is about joy. Not judgment.

And yes, even boxed wine has its place. (Don’t knock a well-chilled Bota Box until you’ve had it on a river float.)

Final Sip: Be Curious, Not Pretentious

Growing up in the Willamette Valley taught me a lot about wine—but mostly, it taught me that the best wine experiences come when you’re laughing with friends, not when you’re trying to impress a sommelier with your knowledge of microclimates.

So swirl it, sip it, and say whatever the hell you’re tasting. Is it “plummy”? Is it “bold”? Is it “kind of like a fruit roll-up, but sexy”? That’s your truth, and I respect it.

Now go forth and taste—without fear, without pretense, and ideally, with snacks.

If you enjoyed this blog post, check out A Wine Hiker’s Guide to Buying Wine to continue your wine journey.

Anati Zubia

Phoenix Area (AZ) Ambassador