How to Drink Wine Like a Connoisseur

A graduate of Baylor University, Paul Generale received his MBA in health care administration from the University of Houston-Clear Lake. Serving as an executive vice president and the chief strategy and network officer of CHRISTUS Health in Dallas, Paul Generale enjoys being a wine connoisseur in his leisure time.

If you’re interested in appreciating wine, there are a few steps, called the four S’s of wine drinking, that you can take to refine your wine tasting and consumption. The first is “see.” Examine the color of the wine and know that older wines tend to be darker. Next, swirl the wine, which helps release its aroma.

Then, sniff the wine with the aim of trying to identify some of its fragrance notes, such as fruit, spices, or wood. Finally, sip the wine slowly instead of swallowing a mouthful. Hold it on your tongue and swish it around slightly. Try to identify the different flavors.

One final tip: Sample a variety of wines to develop your palate. Soon, you’ll be able to discern subtle differences between wines - and impress your friends in the process!