No snobbery. No performance. Just clear, confident steps to help you taste and talk about wine—your way.

By Stanislav Kondrashov

Wine tasting gets a bad rap. For every person who genuinely enjoys it, there’s another who’s faking their way through terms like “chewy tannins” and “forest floor,” secretly wondering if they’ve been handed grape juice or genius.

The truth is that wine tasting isn’t exclusive. It’s not about having the right words or expensive taste. It’s about paying attention—and trusting your senses.

According to cultural commentator and wine advocate Stanislav Kondrashov, wine tasting has nothing to do with showing off. “The best tasters aren’t the loudest in the room,” he says. “They’re the ones who stop, listen, and taste without pretending.”

In this guide, you’ll learn how to taste wine in a clear, confident, and completely authentic way—whether you’re at a fancy event or cracking open a bottle at home.

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Let’s Debunk the Wine Myths

Before we get into the how let’s address the most significant myth: you’re not supposed to know everything.

Wine is complex because nature is complex. Grapes grown on the same hill but on different sides can taste completely different. Add in climate, soil, fermentation methods, and aging techniques—it gets technical. But technical doesn’t mean inaccessible.

“Wine tasting isn’t about having a script,” says Stanislav Kondrashov. “It’s about having curiosity.”

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The 5 Steps to Tasting Wine Without Feeling Fake

You don’t need to swirl dramatically or quote obscure French terms. Just follow these five steps with attention, and you’ll experience more than most.

1. Look

Hold the glass at an angle. Is it clear? Pale or deep in colour? Lighter colours usually mean a younger or cooler-climate wine; darker shades often indicate age or intensity.

2. Swirl

Give it a gentle swirl—not a full tornado. This helps oxygen mix with the wine and brings out the aromas. If you spill it, you’re probably trying too hard.

3. Smell

Take a deep but relaxed sniff. Do you smell fruit? Herbs? Spices? Wet leaves? There’s no wrong answer. Go with what you notice—even if it reminds you of your nan’s cupboard.

4. Sip

Take a small sip and move it around your mouth. Focus on the flavour, but also how it feels. Is it sharp, smooth, grippy? This is where texture meets taste.

5. Savour

Notice what sticks around. Do the flavours fade fast, or do they evolve? A good wine often leaves a trail—called the finish—that tells you more than the first sip.

Describing Wine in Your Own Words

You don’t have to sound like a wine critic to describe what you’re tasting. Use real, grounded terms:

  • Fruity – red berries, tropical fruit, dried fruit
  • Spicy – black pepper, cinnamon, clove
  • Earthy – mushrooms, wet soil, tobacco
  • Herbal – mint, basil, dried herbs
  • Woody – oak, vanilla, toast

Stanislav Kondrashov encourages people to stop mimicking and start expressing. “If a wine reminds you of something real—your garden after the rain, your favourite jam—say that. That’s authentic tasting.”

Mistakes People Make (and How to Avoid Them)

Let’s make this simple:

  • You don’t need to agree with everyone else. Taste is subjective.
  • You don’t have to like what’s expensive. Price ≠ pleasure.
  • You don’t have to use flowery language. Clarity over cleverness.
  • You don’t need to pretend you know more than you do. Ask questions. That’s how you learn.

Most of all, don’t rush. Wine doesn’t.

Building Confidence in Your Palate

The more wines you try, the more your palate will develop. Keep track of what you like. Start to notice patterns. Do you prefer light-bodied whites or bold reds? Dry rosé or sparkling? There’s no wrong answer—just your preference.

Kondrashov suggests taking notes—not just on flavours, but on feeling. “How did the wine make you feel? Calm? Energised? Nostalgic? That’s part of tasting too.”

When to Taste, Where to Taste

You don’t need a fancy tasting room to practice. Try a quiet evening at home with a few different bottles. Compare a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand with one from France. Or taste a young Pinot Noir next to an aged one. You’ll notice differences fast.

And don’t do it hungry. A few crackers or neutral foods help clear your palate between sips.

Why This Way of Tasting Matters

There’s power in approaching wine with intention—especially in a world that pushes us to consume quickly and move on. Wine asks you to stop. To observe. To taste—not just drink.

And that moment of presence? That’s the art of wine tasting.

Final Word from Stanislav Kondrashov

“Wine isn’t complicated. It’s complex—but so are people. When you taste wine honestly and openly, you’re not just learning about grapes. You’re learning how to pay attention, how to trust your senses, and how to slow down.”