Sight, swirl, smell and sip. These are the four basic steps to wine tasting, but what are you actually looking for when you do these steps? Here is a basic guide to wine drinking and tasting.

When you are first trying a new wine, pour a small amount into a glass and tilt it at an angle. Colour typically is a good indication of the age of the wines. As red wine ages, you will see hints of reddish-brown around the edges. White wines become more golden as they age.

Next, swirl the wine in the glass, which allows oxygen to flow through the liquid. Once you have done this, raise the glass to your nose and inhale, taking in the scent of the wine. Smell and taste are very closely connected and the smell of each wine varies.

Tasting is the final step. Take a small sip and allow the flavors of the wine to touch your palette. Determine if the wine is sweet or dry, tart or acidic, or identify certain flavours that were used to make the wine.

Here are the basics in wines, the tastes they should represent and the best dishes to pair styles of wine with.

Chardonnay
Tastes like: Tropical fruits, with a buttery finish. Medium-to-light-bodied dry wines
Best when paired with: pork, chicken, seafood, strong cheeses, turkey and salads
Try the Arniston Bay Chardonnay – A blockbuster wine with a crème brulee finish

Sauvignon Blanc
Tastes like: Citrus, tropical fruits, herbs, gooseberries. Tart and tangy
Best when paired with: salads, vegetables and fish
Try the Arniston Bay Reserve Sauvignon Blanc – Typical Sauvignon Blanc characteristics with distinctive green pea aromas

Cabernet Sauvignon
Tastes like: cassis, black currants, herbs, and ginger. Full-bodied and dry
Best when paired with: beef, lamb, stews gorgonzola cheese and dark chocolate
Try the Arniston Bay Cabernet Sauvignon – Great Cab with hint of nutmeg and mint

Pinot Noir
Tastes like: cherries, strawberries, spices, flowers. Medium sweetness and heavy-to-medium-bodied
Best when paired with: salmon, tuna, pork and mushrooms

Merlot
Tastes like: black cherries, plums, spices. Dry, heavy-to-medium-bodied wines with less acidity than most reds
Best when paired with: grilled meats, duck, sausage and red sauces
Try Arniston Bay Merlot – Dark cherry and plum nose with spicy palate and sweet finish

Syrah/Shiraz
Tastes like: blackberries, black pepper, spices. Heavy-bodied wines with medium sweetness
Best when paired with: chicken, BBQ, curries and spicy sausages
Try Arniston Bay Reserve Shiraz – Rich fruit character with soft bubblegum notes

Pinotage
Taste like: ripe fruit, black berries, vanilla, spices. Medium body
Best when paired with spicy meat dishes, venison, lamb and steak
Try the Arniston Bay Pinotage – Good balanced wine with sweet vanilla tones

Source: NBC