Discovering the world of wine through a tasting is one of those experiences that change the way you look at (and taste) each glass. You don’t need to be an expert, just want to enjoy. From Enolovers, Rosa and Pablo always say that wine tasting is the perfect starting point to fall in love with wine without technicalities or posturing. Let us explain why.
What is a wine tasting?
A wine tasting is a guided sensory experience where different wines are tasted and analyzed. But be careful, it is not only about “drinking wine”, but also about observing it, smelling it, tasting it, tasting it and, above all, understanding it.
The aim is to identify the aromas, flavors, textures and emotions that the wine awakens. It is a way of learning to appreciate what is inside each bottle: the work of the winemaker, the climate of the year, the grape, the type of aging…
There are no right answers: every nose and every palate perceives something different. And that’s the beauty of it.
Types of tasting
For those who believe that “a tasting is a tasting”, here’s a surprise: there are many ways of tasting. Each one brings something different.
- Horizontal tasting: You compare several wines of the same vintage, but from different wineries. Perfect to appreciate how the terroir influences the result.
- Vertical tasting: Tasting several vintages of the same wine. Ideal to see the evolution of the same label over time.
- Blind tasting: You don’t see the bottle and you don’t know what you are drinking. Your senses are in charge. It is one of the most objective (and fun) ways of tasting.
- Sensory or paired tasting: You combine wine with food, music or ambience. The objective is to enhance sensations, contrast flavors and experience it with all five senses.
In all of them, the objective is the same: to understand wine from the inside and enjoy it with more awareness and pleasure.
How is a wine tasting done?
Don’t be nervous: it’s not about getting it right, it’s about feeling. Tasting is not an exam, it is a sensory experience. However, it usually follows a structure that helps to better understand what is in the glass.
Visual phase: the first thing that enters through the eyes
Before tasting, observe. Tilt the glass over a white background and notice:
- Color: Whites range from pale yellow to golden; reds, from violet to russet. The color can tell you about the age of the wine (more russet, more aged) or the type of grape.
- Brightness and clarity: A clean and bright wine usually indicates good conservation. If you see turbidity, it may be intentional (as in naturals) or a sign of something else.
- Tear or wine tear: When moving the glass gently, notice if the wine forms slow drops that fall down the walls. The denser and slower, the higher the alcohol or glycerol content.
Olfactory phase: the nose also tastes
It’s time to sniff. But there’s a trick: you have to do it in two steps.
- First nose (without moving the wine): Here appear the primary aromas of the wine, those that come directly from the grape. Fruit, flowers, herbs… do they remind you of something?
- Second nose (after swirling the glass): As the wine is oxygenated, new aromas are released. Here come the secondary and tertiary aromas: notes of fermentation, oak, leather, cocoa, toast, candied fruit…
Tip: Don’t look for sophisticated words. Think about what it reminds you of: freshly baked bread, green apple, tobacco, jam, lemon… Each nose is a world, and all of them are valid.
Taste phase: what really matters
Now yes: take a small sip. Swish it around in your mouth and pay attention to:
- Attack: Is it soft or powerful from the first moment?
- Basic flavors: sweet (alcohol or sugar), sour (natural acidity), bitter (tannins) or salty (more rare, but can be).
- Texture and body: Is the wine light as water or unctuous as cream?
- Structure: Is everything in balance, does the acidity fight with the alcohol or do they understand each other?
As you swallow (or spit, if you’re at a professional tasting), think about the persistence of flavor. If the wine keeps talking after you leave, you’re in for something special.
Final impression: what you have left
This is where it all comes together. Did you like the wine, will you remember it, did it make you think of something, someone, a place?
The aftertaste is that sensation that remains in the mouth. It can be fresh, bitter, warm, fruity, spicy…
The tasting does not end with an empty glass, but when you decide if the wine is worth repeating.
Do you need to know about wine to enjoy a tasting?
Absolutely not. Tastings are designed to enjoy, not to examine you. For this reason, many wineries such as Bodegas Osca or Miquel Jané adapt the language, eliminate technicalities and turn the experience into something relaxed, fun and very tasty.
Differences between tasting and tasting
Although they are often used as synonyms, they do not mean the same thing. Both moments revolve around wine, but from different angles.
Tasting: wine as a sensory and social experience
In a tasting, it is not necessary to have previous knowledge or to follow formal steps. It is about savoring wine in a natural way, whether or not accompanied by food, music or scenery. The important thing is the immediate enjoyment, the pleasure without filters or analysis.
Tasting is drinking with the senses awake, but without rules. Ideal for relaxed plans, in good company, like the ones you find in our wine tourism wineries.
So… which one to choose?
It depends on the context and what you are looking for:
- Do you want to learn, refine your palate and discover nuances? You are already doing it when you follow the steps of a tasting.
- Prefer to let yourself go and enjoy the moment without thinking too much? You’re in for a tasting.
The best thing to do? Combine both. In many Enolovers experiences, such as those at Bodegas Monje or Vile La Finca, you start exploring flavors… and end up laughing with a glass in your hand and a good pairing in front of you.
Because wine, when understood and enjoyed at the same time, leaves its mark.
Types of tasting experiences you can book
At Enolovers we believe that there is no one way to taste, and that’s why we offer plans for all tastes, levels and moments. From the basic to the unforgettable, here are some of the options you can book today:
🍷 Basic tastings: to get started without fear
Perfect to start with. They include the tasting of 2 to 4 wines with a simple and close explanation. They are usually held at the winery itself and last between 1 and 1.5 hours.
💸 From 12 €.
👉 Example: Tasting at Bodegas Osca in Somontano, among 15th century cellars.
🧀 Paired tastings: wine + food, the winning duo
Here wine is accompanied by cheeses, cold meats, tapas or even chocolates. The objective is to discover how the flavors interact and enjoy the pairing as a complete plan.
👉 Example: Wine pairing tasting at Bodegas Gratias with local products such as mojama, almonds or chocolate with salt.
🕶 Blind tastings: put your senses to the test
You won’t see the wine, but you will feel it like never before. With opaque glasses or masks, prejudices are eliminated. Everything is based on aroma, texture and taste.
👉 Example: Blind tasting at Bodegas Osca, where intuition is worth more than the label.
🍇 Tastings in the vineyard or by the barrels: wine in its habitat
For those who want something more immersive. Walks among vines, explanations about the cultivation and tasting in the open air or inside the aging room.
👉 Example: Tasting at the foot of the barrel in Bodega Manuel Aragón or Vile La Finca, with a buggy and views of the Picos de Europa.
🎉 Tastings with extra activities: wine + fun
When wine tasting is mixed with gastronomy, nature or entertainment, memorable experiences are born.
👉 Some favorites in Enolovers:
- Mojos workshop and tasting at Bodegas Monje: make your own Canarian sauce.
- Tasting with laughter therapy and lunch at Diecinueve Añadas: laugh, taste and repeat.
- Clos Pachem: tasting with paella and views of the Priorat: the perfect plan for foodies.
How much does a wine tasting in Spain cost?
At Enolovers we have done our homework. According to this article, these are the actual ranges:
You don’t need to be a sommelier or break the piggy bank to live a good wine experience. At Enolovers we have compiled real and current prices of our wineries to help you choose the plan that best suits you.
💸 Basic tastings (10 € – 18 €)
They are the gateway to the world of wine. They usually include the tasting of 2 to 4 wines with a brief explanation, and sometimes a small snack (cheese, bread or sausage).
👉 Example: Bodegas Osca offers a guided tasting in the winery with Somontano wines for only 12 €.
🍷 Intermediate tastings (18 € – 35 €)
This is where elements such as wine pairings, special wines, unique settings and complementary activities come into play.
👉 Example: Andalusian snack and tasting at Bodegas Quitapenas: 3 wines and local snack in Malaga for 35 €.
👉 Another great plan: Tasting among jars in Torres Filoso for only 24 €.
🍽 Premium tastings (from 35 € to 150 €)
Complete experiences, designed for those who want something unforgettable: guided tours of vineyards, lunches or dinners, tastings with signature wines, laughter therapy, buggy among vineyards, picnics or gastronomic workshops.
👉 Example:
- Clos Pachem: tasting + paella with views of the Priorat, for 80 €.
- Bodega Diecinueve Añadas: laughter therapy + tasting + lunch for 35 €.
- Tasting in a buggy with lunch in a cave at Vile La Finca: a plan to remember (65 €).
And the best part? With Enolovers you always pay the same as at the winery, but with the ease of booking from a single app.
Search by area, type of wine or type of experience and choose the plan that most appeals to you today. Here’s to that.
The most original tastings you can book with Enolovers
We leave you with three unforgettable plans:
- Diecinueve Añadas (Murcia)Laughter therapy, tasting and lunch with Juani and Salva. Wine, laughter and taste in a single experience.
- Clos D’Agon (Catalonia)Picnic among vineyards overlooking the sea. Nature and glass in hand.
- Osca Winery (Aragon)Visit to the oldest winery in Somontano with blind tasting.
Is it a good idea for a gift or a group gift?
No doubt about it. A wine tasting is that kind of plan that everyone likes: it combines nature, learning, good atmosphere and a glass of wine. Ideal for:
- Couples getaways
- Birthday, wedding or retirement gifts
- Different Teambuildings
- Getaways with friends
Why experience it with Enolovers?
Because at Enolovers:
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- Easy reservations at the best price guaranteed.
- We assure you wineries with soul.
- Each experience has been selected by Rosa and Pablo, who do not recommend anything they have not tried.