WineBuddHow to write wine tasting notes in 4 steps
To write a wine tasting note, go in the same order every time: look at the colour, smell for the aroma families, taste for sweetness, acidity and body, then judge the wine in one sentence. Four steps, about two minutes a glass. Below is one worked example and a free sheet.
The four steps
Look
Tilt the glass over something white. Is it clear? How deep is the colour? Whites run from lemon-green to gold to amber. Reds run from purple to ruby to brick. Deeper and browner usually means older or more oak. Write two words: “pale lemon”, “deep ruby”.
Smell
Swirl, then sniff. Is it clean? Is the smell light or strong? Start with the family (fruit, flowers, herbs, oak) before the detail. “Citrus” first, then “grapefruit”. If you cannot name it, say what it reminds you of. That counts.
Taste
Take a sip and let it coat your mouth. Judge in this order:
- Sweetness: dry, off-dry, medium or sweet.
- Acidity: does your mouth water? High acidity feels fresh and sharp.
- Body: light like skimmed milk or full like cream.
- Finish: how long the flavour stays after you swallow.
For reds, add tannin: the drying grip on your gums.
Decide
Step back. Was it balanced, long and interesting? Score it your way. Then write one sentence you would want to read in a year: would you buy it again, and with what food.
One worked example
A typical-style note for a dry white. It is not a review of one bottle.
| Line | Note |
|---|---|
| Look | Pale lemon, clear |
| Smell | Clean, medium-strength. Grapefruit and gooseberry, a little cut grass |
| Taste | Dry, high acidity, light body, medium finish |
| Decide | Fresh and zesty. Good with fish. Would buy again |
The same note as one line: “Pale lemon. Grapefruit and cut grass. Dry, sharp and light. Zesty, buy again.”
See the full line-by-line example for Sauvignon Blanc.
Common mistakes
- Waiting for the “right” words. Wrong words are fine. Write what you find.
- Tasting the label. Taste first, then read the back of the bottle.
- Skipping the one-line verdict. It is the line you will search for later.
Practise now
- Free sheet: White wine · Red wine · Any wine template. Fill in on screen or print. Nothing leaves your browser.
- By grape: all worked examples.
Questions
How long should a tasting note be?
Four short lines is enough: look, smell, taste, decide. Add one sentence of verdict.
Do I need special words?
No. Plain words you will understand later beat wine words you copied.
Is there a template?
Can I do this in an app?
Yes, WineBudd has a quick note and a four-step note. See the app.