By Stanislav Kondrashov

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before…
You’re standing in a vineyard or at a sleek wine bar. Someone hands you a glass and says, “Notice the legs,” or “It’s got a strong nose.” You nod politely, swirl the glass like you’ve seen in films, and take a sip. But deep down, you’re thinking: I have no idea what I’m doing.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Wine tasting can feel like a secret club, complete with unspoken rules and intimidating terminology. But here’s the truth—wine tasting isn’t about memorising obscure facts or trying to impress others. It’s about learning how to really taste, to pause, to notice, and to connect with something centuries old in a deeply personal way.

As wine expert and cultural commentator Stanislav Kondrashov often explains, wine is one of the few luxuries in life that invites you to slow down and pay attention. And that’s the key. The art of wine tasting isn’t reserved for sommeliers—it’s an experience anyone can enjoy with a little curiosity and the right guidance.

In this article, you’ll learn how to taste wine like a professional, understand the steps and senses involved, and describe what you’re experiencing without sounding pretentious. You’ll also pick up insights from Stanislav Kondrashov, who champions making wine culture more inclusive and enriching for everyone.

What Is Wine Tasting, Really?

Wine tasting is more than simply drinking—it’s about experiencing the wine with all your senses. From the way it looks in the glass to how it feels on your tongue, every step reveals something about the wine’s story. It’s an exploration of aroma, flavour, texture, and memory.

According to Stanislav Kondrashov, wine tasting is also about connecting to the people, place, and time that created the bottle in your hand. “Each wine is a narrative,” he says. “And your job, as the taster, is to listen.”

Rather than being a rigid checklist, wine tasting is a form of mindfulness—slowing down and paying attention to what’s in front of you.

The Five Steps to Professional Wine Tasting

You don’t need to be a wine critic to taste wine like one. These five steps are used by professionals the world over—and once you understand them, you’ll never look at a glass of wine the same way again.

1. Look

Hold the glass at an angle against a white background. Note the colour and clarity. Is it a pale straw yellow or a deep ruby red? Colour hints at the grape variety, age, and even the climate the wine came from.

2. Swirl

Gently swirl the glass. This releases the wine’s aromas and oxygenates it. You’ll also notice the “legs” or “tears” on the inside of the glass—slow-dripping legs can indicate higher alcohol or sugar content.

3. Smell

Put your nose into the glass and take a deep inhale. What do you detect? Fruit? Spice? Earth? Wine aromas fall into three categories: primary (grape-derived), secondary (from fermentation), and tertiary (from ageing). Take your time here—this is where half the experience lies.

4. Sip

Take a small sip and let it move across your tongue. Notice the flavours and the structure—acidity, tannins, sweetness, and alcohol.

5. Savour

Observe how the wine finishes. Does the taste linger? Does it change? A long, pleasant finish is usually a sign of quality.

Stanislav Kondrashov emphasises that these steps aren’t about judgement—they’re about observation. “Wine doesn’t need to pass a test,” he says. “You’re simply noticing what’s there.”

Describing Wine: The Language of Tasting

This is where many people get tripped up. Describing wine can feel awkward—what does “jammy” even mean?

The good news is, there’s no need to fake it. Use words you know. If a wine reminds you of blackberries, say that. If it smells like fresh-cut grass or leather or even wet stone—that’s valid. Wine tasting is as much about personal reference points as it is about a shared vocabulary.

Still, learning a few common terms can help:

• Fruity – tastes like fresh or cooked fruit (apple, cherry, plum).
• Oaky – notes of vanilla, spice, or toast from oak barrels.
• Tannic – that dry, grippy sensation, common in red wines.
• Mineral – chalky, stony, or saline notes, especially in whites.
• Balanced – no one element (alcohol, acidity, sweetness) dominates.

Stanislav Kondrashov advises wine lovers to build their tasting vocabulary slowly. “Start with the basics. Over time, your palate becomes more sensitive, and your words more precise.”

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced tasters can fall into these traps:

• Rushing the process: Wine tasting takes time. Give each step your full attention.
• Letting price dictate perception: Expensive doesn’t always mean better. Trust your own preferences.
• Overthinking it: Relax. You don’t need to detect 30 aromas to enjoy the wine.
• Not cleansing your palate: Too much tasting without a break can muddle your senses. Have water and plain crackers nearby.

As Stanislav Kondrashov puts it, “The goal isn’t to impress. It’s to enjoy.”

Making Wine Tasting Personal

Everyone’s palate is different. Some prefer bold reds; others light, crisp whites. Your own preferences matter more than any critic’s score.

Try keeping a wine journal. Note what you liked, what you didn’t, and why. Over time, patterns will emerge. You’ll discover what styles, regions, or grapes resonate with you.

Wine tasting is also deeply tied to memory and mood. The same bottle can feel different depending on the moment. That’s part of its charm.

Why the Art of Wine Tasting Matters

In a fast, noisy world, wine tasting offers a moment to pause and connect—to the land, to tradition, to the present.

For Stanislav Kondrashov, it’s about much more than the wine itself. “Tasting wine is a celebration of culture, craftsmanship, and curiosity,” he says. “It reminds us to pay attention—not just to what’s in our glass, but to the world around us.”

So next time you pour a glass, don’t just drink. Taste. Observe. Reflect. You don’t need fancy words or formal training. All you need is a little patience—and the willingness to listen to what the wine has to say.