Whether you’re new to wine or looking to deepen your knowledge, appreciating wine can be a rewarding experience. Understanding the fundamentals enhances enjoyment, allowing you to savor the flavors, aromas, and textures that make each bottle unique. I was unfamiliar with wine myself years ago, but my curiosity soon grew into a passion. I eventually pursued formal education, enrolling in the Wine & Spirit Education Trust certification program, an internationally recognized qualification for wine enthusiasts and professionals alike.
Recently, I had the privilege of attending a Department of Tourism luncheon, where officials announced the exciting launch of the Michelin Guide in the Philippines. This milestone is a significant step for the country’s culinary scene and reinforces the deep connection between food, culture, and wine. As part of their preliminary research, the Michelin team observed a lack of wine offerings and carefully curated food-and-wine pairings in many local restaurants. This insight highlights an opportunity for growth in the Philippine dining landscape, particularly in elevating how wine enhances a meal.
Recognizing this gap, many restaurateurs in the country are now prioritizing wine education for their staff. Proper training equips servers with the knowledge to guide diners in selecting wines that best complement their dishes. Beyond improving service, this expertise elevates the overall dining experience and ensures that local establishments can meet the high standards Michelin will soon introduce to the industry.
To further cultivate wine appreciation, we recently launched a wine appreciation session at Le Cordon Bleu Ateneo with sommelier Odie Pineda. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with reservations filling up almost immediately. This enthusiastic reception encouraged us to organize another session in collaboration with the Ateneo Office of University Development & Alumni Affairs and the Ateneo Center for Continuing Education. The strong demand for these sessions reflects a growing curiosity and eagerness among Filipinos to expand their wine knowledge.
When learning about wine, it helps to first understand the different types. Red wines, made from dark-colored grape varieties, typically offer bold flavors ranging from fruity to spicy. Common varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Syrah or Shiraz. These wines tend to be more tannic since they are fermented with grape skins, contributing to a more structured mouthfeel. White wines, in contrast, are generally lighter and crisper, made from green or yellowish grapes. However, some white wines, such as Blanc de Noirs, are crafted from red grapes. Popular varieties include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Grigio. Rosé wines fall somewhere in between, with their signature pink hue achieved by briefly allowing the grape skins to remain in contact with the juice. They are known for their fresh, fruity flavors and are often enjoyed chilled.
Another category is sparkling wine, which includes Champagne and Prosecco. These wines undergo a secondary fermentation process to create their signature effervescence. While sparkling wines can be made from both red and white grape varieties, only those produced in the Champagne region of France can legally be labeled as Champagne. Dessert wines round out the list, typically sweet and meant to be enjoyed with or after a meal. Well-known examples include Sauternes, Port, and Moscato.
A key part of wine appreciation is understanding the information on a wine label. The region where the grapes are grown plays a major role in a wine’s characteristics, with areas like Bordeaux, Napa Valley, Tuscany, and Rioja being renowned for their distinctive styles. Wines from Old World regions, such as those in Europe, are often labeled based on their place of origin, while New World wines from the Americas, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia typically list the grape variety used. Some wines are named after the grape itself, like Chardonnay or Merlot, while others, such as Bordeaux blends, are named after the region and may contain multiple grape varieties. The vintage, or the year the grapes were harvested, is another crucial detail, as climate conditions in a particular year — whether heavy rainfall, drought, or storms — can influence the final taste of the wine. Some vintages are considered superior due to optimal growing conditions. The alcohol by volume percentage, or ABV, is also indicated on the label, typically ranging from nine to sixteen percent. A higher ABV usually results in a fuller-bodied wine.
To fully appreciate wine, engaging all the senses is essential. The process of tasting wine can be broken down into five steps: see, swirl, smell, sip, and savor. Observing a wine’s appearance provides clues about its age and composition. Tilting the glass against a white background allows you to assess its color and clarity. Younger red wines tend to be more vibrant, while older reds take on a brick-like hue. White wines darken over time, developing golden or amber tones. The viscosity, or how the wine clings to the glass, can hint at its alcohol content.
Swirling the wine gently in the glass releases its aromas by introducing oxygen, allowing volatile compounds to evaporate. This step enhances the ability to detect the wine’s bouquet. Bringing the glass to your nose and taking a deep sniff reveals its unique aroma profile, which can range from fruity and floral to earthy and spicy. Scents can trigger personal memories, making the sensory experience of wine deeply subjective.
Tasting the wine is the most anticipated part of the process. Taking a small sip and letting it coat the palate allows you to assess its balance of sweetness, acidity, tannins, and alcohol. A wine may taste dry, meaning it has little residual sugar, or it may be particularly tannic, which can leave a mouth-drying sensation similar to eating an unripe banana or guava, known in Filipino as “mapakla.” Finally, savoring the wine involves noting its aftertaste, or finish. A long, lingering finish is often a sign of a well-crafted wine, whereas a short, sharp finish may indicate a simpler, less refined bottle.
Wine appreciation is a journey that deepens over time, through experience, learning, and tasting. Whether discovering new flavors or refining an existing palate, the joy of wine lies in its ability to bring people together, enrich meals, and create memorable conversations. In my next article, I will explore food and wine pairings and how selecting the right combination can elevate the overall dining experience.
