Tasting Note Wizard: Taste Like a Professional

Beyond “I Liked It”

Most people describe wine in one of two ways: “It’s good” or “I don’t like it.” But wine has hundreds of identifiable characteristics, and learning to spot them is what separates casual drinking from genuine appreciation.

The Tasting Note Wizard gives you the framework to notice more, describe it accurately, and track your improvement over time.

The Four Steps

1. Appearance

Start by looking at the wine. The wizard asks you to assess:

• Clarity: Is it clear or hazy?
• Intensity: How deep is the colour?
• Colour: What shade? Lemon, gold, ruby, garnet?

Appearance tells you more than you’d think. A deep garnet Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley looks different from a pale ruby Pinot Noir from Burgundy. Colour intensity can hint at age, grape variety, and winemaking style.

2. Nose

Swirl, sniff, and record what you detect. The wizard breaks aromas into three categories:

• Primary: Fruit, floral, and herbal aromas from the grape itself
• Secondary: Aromas from fermentation and winemaking (butter, bread, vanilla)
• Tertiary: Developed aromas from ageing (leather, tobacco, earth)

Select from predefined options or add your own. Over time, you’ll start recognising patterns. That blackcurrant note in every Bordeaux blend. The petrol hint in aged Riesling.

3. Palate

Take a sip and evaluate the wine’s structure:

• Sweetness: Dry, off-dry, medium, or sweet
• Acidity: Low to high
• Tannin: Low to high (red wines)
• Body: Light, medium, or full
• Flavour intensity: How pronounced are the flavours?
• Flavours: What do you taste?
• Finish: How long do the flavours linger?

This is where calibration happens. A wine that feels “medium” in body today might feel “full” next month as your reference points sharpen.

4. Conclusions

Wrap up with your assessment of quality (from acceptable to outstanding) and readiness (too young, suitable for drinking, or past its peak). This step forces you to make a judgment, which is the most valuable part of learning to taste.

AI Feedback and Alignment

After submitting your notes, Sommo’s AI compares your observations against the wine’s known profile. If you described a Malbec from Mendoza as light-bodied with high acidity, the AI will gently point out that this grape and region typically produce full-bodied wines with moderate acidity.

The alignment score (a percentage) tracks how closely your tasting matched the wine’s established characteristics. Watch it climb over weeks of practice.

Pairs Perfectly with WSET Prep

If you’re studying for WSET Level 2 or Level 3, the SAT wizard is your practice ground. The exam requires structured tasting under time pressure. Using the wizard regularly builds the muscle memory you need to perform on exam day.

Combine it with Sommo’s WSET Exam Prep for a complete study toolkit.

Frequently asked.