Understand Wine Basics
Before tasting, learn the building blocks: sweetness (dry to sweet), acidity (tartness), tannins (grippy dryness in reds), body (light to full mouthfeel), alcohol (warming sensation), and flavors (fruit, earth, oak).
Read Wine Folly's Beginner Guide for visuals and infographics. Note how these interact for balance.
Key takeaway: Balanced wines feel harmonious; unbalanced ones highlight one element excessively.
