Being a part of a large fine dining restaurant group, I’ve been fortunate enough to work with incredibly talented leaders in the wine industry. My mentors Tylor Field, III and Sara Fasolino have successfully managed an award winning wine list and created a vibrant culture for wine and spirits. Their close partnership with The Court of Master Sommeliers (the authority for wine education) helps to accomplish this.
In 2010, I was fortunate enough to be selected from a handful of managers in our restaurant group to take the introductory level examination by the Court of Master Sommeliers. There is a four-level education and examination process (Introductory, Certified, Advanced and Master). Understanding the wine world would greatly contribute in my role as marketing manager to effectively 
market our wine program and events.
I spent months preparing for the exam. My best study resources were guildsomm.com and The World Atlas of Wine. The two day exam was hosted by Master Sommeliers. The process included lectures, wine tastings and*gulp* the 70 question examination. I joined approximately 40 other wine apprentices from around the region for a crash course in wine. We blew past power point after power point of wine regions and variatels (this was more for a refresher course… attendees were expected to have this memorized beforehand). But what we spent most of our time on was how to blind taste wine… I enjoyed it so much I thought I would share a few basic lessons on how to blind taste wine.
Before you begin blind wine tasting, it’s helpful to first know a little bit about grape varietals and regions.
Why blind taste wines, anyway? Each of us has differing sensitivities and abilities, and the blind wine tasting method allows all tasters to discover their strengths and weaknesses to gather the most complete set of descriptors in order to skillfully analyze and identify wines. By doing so, the taster becomes adept at understanding the style, character and quality of wines.
Use the deductive tasting method:
1. Sight (provides information on wine’s age and condition): Generally speaking white and blush wines grow darker
with age, red wines grow lighter with age and pigments and tannin in red wines precipitate into sediment with age. Green hues = young or cool climate white wines. Orange, yellow and brown in older red wines.
Viscosity (aka legs/tears): Thin, quickly moving legs or sheeting in the glass = low alcohol. Thick, slow moving legs = higher alcohol.
2. Nose: This is where it gets fun… express the smell of the wine with creative descriptors. It’s best to separate the smell into three categories Fruit (or non-fruit), Earth and Wood.
Fruit: Citrus, tropical, black fruit, candy, jam, peach skin
Non Fruit: Flowers, spices, herbs, lemon grass
Earth: Dirt, damp earth, mushroom, barnyard, forest floor
Wood: Leather, spice, tobacco, brown spice, vanilla, carame, coconut
3. Palate: FINALLY, you get to sip the wine. Sweet vs dry body (light medium or full). Think of it like drinking skim milk, 2% or whole milk. After sipping the wine, confirm the taste with the smell (Did it taste like the fruit you described when you smelled? Anything new?)
4. Initial Conclusion: Based on the evidence from sight, nose and palate consider: Is it old world or new world (ID keys: acid level, earthiness and use of wood)? Cool, moderate or warm climate (ID keys: acid level and alcohol level)? Grape Variety or Blend (ID keys: knowing the markers for grape varieties and styles of wine)?
5. Final Conclusion: Grape Variety or Blend. Region. Appellation. Vintage.
Example: Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, Saint Helena, 2010
During the introductory sommelier course, I blind tasted about 40 different wines. It was an incredible experience and really doesenhance my enjoyment of wine. The more often you do it, the easier it gets! Oh, and for those who might be wondering… I did pass the first level examination. So, I’m a humble freshman in the school of wine with the hopes to someday to become a certified sommelier. 🙂
Cheers to all my fellow wine nerds!
Jillian Beard 
Jill, I enjoyed your post on wines, interesting.. it would be fun to know more about wines, I’m more the light, fruity, not to sweet.. dark red seems to strong, and heavy for me Margaret, and Sherry, drink wine all the time, Me martini, wine & beer..Margaret, nancy,like martini’s also..You should come south, and have a wine tasting class. Also we should go to your resturant for dinner sometime. Have to get girls to take me. Take care Kay
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Thanks for reading my post, Kay! I’ll write my next wine post on fruity light wines. Let’s have a wine tasting night out with the gals! Get Nancy on board and let’s start planning :).