How to Become a Wine Expert: Complete Learning Guide
There comes a time in life when you know what you’re into – and what you’re not. You’ve tried Sunday League football, collected a few bruises, and decided it’s not for you. Maybe you considered bungee jumping for all of two minutes, or dabbled in S+M before swiftly abandoning it.
But one thing you do love? Wine. You enjoy the way it smells, tastes, and looks in a glass. Your friends are having conversations about tannins and terroirs, and you’ve decided it’s time to join in. While professional wine-tasting courses are an option, you don’t need to leave home – or break the bank – to start your journey into the world of wine.
Here are five simple steps to become an expert from the comfort of your own kitchen.
1. DEVELOP YOUR PALATE AND DISCOVER WHAT YOU LIKE
First, the fun part: drink more wine. But don’t worry – you don’t need to down a bottle a night, sitting alone at your kitchen counter. Exploring wine with friends is a fantastic way to dive in. You can share ideas, compare notes, and debate the characteristics of each bottle you try.
Discovering your palate is all about figuring out what excites you. Everyone’s taste is unique, and that’s the beauty of wine. Maybe you love the smoky, earthy tones of a Rioja, or the zesty freshness of a Sauvignon Blanc. Once you know what you like, dig deeper – what is it about that wine? Is it the aroma, the acidity, or the smooth texture? Thinking in these terms will help you recognise the individual features that make a wine special.
2. EXPLORE WHAT YOU THINK YOU DON'T LIKE
The journey doesn’t stop at favourites – it’s equally important to challenge yourself. Maybe you’ve written off Chardonnay because of one overly oaked glass, or avoided Spanish reds because they remind you of cheap bottles from student days.
Wine is ever-changing. A bottle from a new region or vintage might completely transform your opinion. Recently, I had a Catalan red that made me rethink everything I thought I disliked about earthy Spanish wines – it was so good, it became my wine of the year.
Even those who swear they “don’t like white wine” can be surprised. A friend of mine had that exact stance until I introduced him to Viognier, Riesling, and Soave. Suddenly, he realised he didn’t dislike whites – just the ones he’d tried before.
3. READ, READ, READ
Think of wine as art: it can seem puzzling at first, but context makes all the difference. You might not immediately “get” a painting until you read the notes beside it – then everything clicks. The same goes for wine.
Dive into books, blogs, and articles to learn more about the history and culture of winemaking. If you love a particular wine or region, research it further. Knowing the story behind a bottle, whether it’s about the vineyard’s history or the unique growing conditions, will deepen your appreciation.
4. TRY THE WEIRD AND WONDERFUL
Once you’ve discovered what you love and revisited what you thought you didn’t, step out of your comfort zone. There’s a whole world of unconventional wines waiting to be explored.
Try dessert wines made with noble rot, a fungus that creates intensely sweet and complex flavours, or ice wines from frozen grapes harvested in Germany and Canada. Go for something unusual like Retsina, a Greek wine flavoured with pine resin, or Italian straw wines, made from sun-dried grapes.
Whether you love or hate these bottles, they’ll expand your horizons and teach you something new about the endless variety in wine.
5. TASTE THE SMALL DIFFERENCES
It’s easy to spot bold flavours like blackcurrant or citrus, but fine wines often reveal themselves through subtlety. Those gentle, layered aromas and flavours are what make a wine truly special.
Attend a tasting evening where you can try small pours of similar wines side by side. This helps train your palate to notice the differences between them. Pay attention to how the flavours evolve – from the first sip to the lingering finish – and how they interact with different parts of your tongue and palate.
Once you’ve trained yourself to detect these nuances, the skill will stay with you, making every glass of wine an experience to savour.
READY TO START?
Becoming a wine expert doesn’t require a formal course or a huge budget. It’s about taking your time, exploring your preferences, and enjoying the process. Whether you’re discovering new favourites through a wine subscription or branching out at your local shop, every bottle is a step closer to expertise. Cheers to your journey!
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
Check out our film with award-winning sommelier and restauranteur, Michael Sager for tips on how to taste like a pro.