A Guide for Embarking on a Wine Tour in New Zealand
This guide provides the information you need in order to know how to taste wine with a purpose and refine your senses.
You’ve probably witnessed an individual treat a glass of wine with utter respect, sniffing the aroma that emanates from within, swirling around the liquor and taking a glorious sip while closing their eyes hoping to find the answer to humanity’s existence. You immediately notice them discarding the wine in a bucket and wonder, what is going on?
This guide provides the information you require to taste wine with a purpose and refine your senses.
- Never hold the wine glass at the belly of the glass because it heats up the contents, resulting in an impure experience for you. The stem of the glass is there for a reason. You should hold the glass in front of your face with a slight tilt which allows you to view the colour of the wine at the bottom of the glass right to the tip. Since you’re searching for clarity, it’s advisable to perform this in front of a clear or white background. If you find the wine to be cloudy, it means the winemaker didn’t filter it efficiently. In terms of the colour, a lighter liquid suggests the wine is young while darker colours indicate an older wine.
- Allowing the wine in the glass to interact with oxygen helps release fragrant molecules that enrich the taste. Sniff the edge of the glass with a slightly open mouth as the aroma deflects off the edge and into the nostrils. Inhale deeply and try to identify the different smells. Your sense of smell is subjective so if you pick up aromas that others aren’t, there’s no need for concern as it’s up to your own perception.
- Believe it or not there are techniques to get the most out of wine tours in NZ. Even though it may be tricky, you must follow your first sip of wine with a breath of air which aerates the wine and emboldens the flavour. Before swallowing the wine, roll it around your tongue for a few seconds and exhale via your nostrils when you eventually swallow. You’re doing this because your sense of smell and taste operate in unison to provide a mind-blowing taste experience. There are two elements of wine tasting – flavour and structure. Flavour refers to components such as blackberries or chocolate while structure informs the level of sweetness, alcohol, acidity and tannin.
While the sweetness of the wine is self-explanatory, the opposite doesn’t necessarily refer to dry wine.
You can determine the level of alcohol in a wine based on the fiery feeling at the back of your throat. The more intense the burn is, the higher the alcohol content in the wine.
You can identify acidity by the crispness and freshness of the wine. A wine that contains a high level of tannins will leave your mouth dry.
The general rule is that a wine that strikes a balance between these characteristics is a decent wine. If you continue to get the flavour of wine after you’ve swallowed, it’s an indicator of a high-quality wine otherwise known as the persistence of wine.
Don Bird is your experienced, 3rd generation winemaker guide
Private Wine Tour’s are hosted by experienced guides with many years involvement in the wine industry.
Don Bird who hosts The Winemakers Tour is a third generation Hawke’s Bay winemaker who has developed special relationships with winemakers in the region which makes it possible to do special private tastings.
Don takes great pleasure in sharing his many years of winemaking knowledge with his guests.
Our Offerings
All Tours Hosted By Don Bird. Read His Outstanding Reviews On Trip Advisor
The Winemaker's Private Tour
Travel through stunning river valleys with Don, wander hillside vineyards and discover the magnificent patchwork quilt of the world-famous Gimblett Gravels as we try some of the most divine wine and food that Hawke’s Bay has to offer.
Bespoke and Tailored Wine Tour - for larger groups
Explore award-winning wineries & vineyards with our Bespoke and Tailored Winemaker’s Tour. Try some of the most divine wine and food that Hawke’s Bay has to offer.
The Grange Lodge - World Class Accommodation in Esk Valley
Featuring river views, The Grange Lodge provides accommodation with a garden and a patio, around 16 km from McLean Park. An unforgettable experience in Esk Valley.