Wine Guide for Beginners
Welcome, wine enthusiasts and those just stepping into the world of wine’s charm. This blog will guide you through small yet impactful steps to advance your tasting skills. From essential preparations and sensory properties of wine to styles and recommendations for your next tasting experience, we’ll cover it all. Wine tasting isn’t just about sipping wine—it’s a journey into nature, tradition, and the wealth of flavors wine offers. Whether you’re a novice or a sommelier, recognizing the basics will help you fully enjoy every sip. This wine guide will take you through tasting steps and introduce you to several Croatian wine varieties that are perfect for beginning your wine adventure.
Create the Perfect Conditions for Wine Tasting
Of course, the first step is to choose the wine. Once you have the wine at the ideal temperature and ready to open, a few important guidelines will ensure you can fully savor every aspect of it. A relaxed and quiet environment, free from strong odors or perfumes, is essential to focus on the wine’s notes and flavors. The temperature of the wine is crucial; serve white wines chilled (around 10-12°C) and red wines slightly warmer (around 16-18°C). We’ll delve more into wine temperature later.
The Right Glass for Tasting
Each wine has its ideal glass. Glasses are not only for drinking, choosing the right glass also serves to evaluate wine, spirits, and even water, and of course other beverages. Glass manufacturers make different shapes of glasses from different materials, I would like to highlight that the most appreciated are the handmade ones, and unfortunately, there are fewer and fewer of them. The type of glass can significantly affect the experience of wine because the shape and size of the glass affect the aromas, taste and texture that the wine conveys. The right glass allows the wine to “breathe” and reveal its aromas to its full capacity, providing an optimal tasting experience. Here are a few examples of how different types of glasses are matched to certain types of wine:
- Red Wine Glass
Red wine glasses have a wider opening and a larger volume because red wines need more oxygen to develop their aromas. The shape of the glass allows the wine to be aerated to the maximum, which brings out the complex aromas and makes the taste smoother. Examples are glasses for Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. - White Wine Glass
White wine glasses are smaller and narrower in shape compared to red wine glasses, because white wines need less aeration. Narrower glasses help preserve the freshness, aroma of fruit and floral notes, which is especially important for white wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay. - Sparkling Wine Glass
Sparkling wines like Champagne and Prosecco are served in narrow, tall glasses known as “flauts” or tulip glasses. These glasses help to retain the bubbles longer, and thus the freshness of the taste and aroma. The moist surface allows the bubbles to travel straight up, adding elegance to the drink. - Dessert Wine Glass
Dessert wines are sweeter and have more intense flavors, so they are served in smaller glasses. A smaller glass allows for concentration of aromas, but also reduces the amount of wine poured, which is ideal for the intensity of the flavors. - Universal Glasses
In cases where a specific glass is not available, a universal glass is used, which is designed to work for all types of wine. Although it will not emphasize the aromas like specialized glasses, it will provide a good balance for tasting.
Croatia’s Wine Regions
Before diving into wine varieties suitable for beginners, let’s briefly explore Croatia’s wine regions. Each offers unique styles and flavors, so sampling wines from every region will broaden your understanding. Croatia is divided into four main wine regions:
- Central and Upland Croatia – Known for Pušipel, Škrlet, and Kraljevina, this region excels in sparkling wines, especially Plešivica.
- Istria and Kvarner – Renowned for Malvazija and Teran, offering fresh, fruity wines with pronounced minerality.
- Dalmatia – Indigenous varieties like Plavac Mali and Pošip deliver full-bodied, character-rich wines.
- Slavonia and Croatian Danube – Dominated by white wines like Graševina, these are light, refreshing, and often complemented by Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay.
Croatian Wine Varieties for Beginners
To develop your palate, start with approachable yet characteristic Croatian wines:
- Pušipel (Central Croatia)
Also known as Moslavac or Šipon, it comes from the Međimurje region and is one of the most important varieties in that region. This wine has a refreshing acidity and often develops notes of green apple, citrus fruits, as well as subtle floral aromas. - Graševina (Slavonia)
Graševina is one of the most popular white wines in Croatia, often with refreshing notes of green apple, citrus and a light minerality. It is an excellent starter, as it offers simplicity, freshness, distinctiveness and depth. - Istrian Malvasia (Istria)
It has a distinctive taste and aroma reminiscent of almonds and fresh floral notes. It is easy to drink and goes well with fish dishes, allowing you to explore how wine and food together create a unique experience. - Plavac Mali (Dalmatia)
This variety is a great starter for red wines. Plavac Mali is rich in tannins and often has notes of plum, cherry and spice. It is ideal for those who want to try something more powerful and complex. - Pošip (Dalmatia)
With slightly floral, citrusy aromas, Pošip is a fantastic choice for white wine lovers. It is a variety that offers a combination of freshness and full flavor. - Teran (Istria)
For lovers of red wines with slightly stronger tannins, Teran offers a specific, slightly wild flavor, with notes of black fruit and spices.
Sensory Properties
Wine tasting engages all the senses. Visual, olfactory, and gustatory observations enhance the experience and reveal the wine’s quality and character. That is why now we will touch a little on color, aroma, taste. Everything we see, smell and taste creates new experiences for us. Try to memorize the wine based on these principles at every tasting. Organoleptic properties make the wine tasting experience complete and allow us to discover all aspects of the quality and character of the wine. The more attention we pay to these properties, the more we understand and enjoy every sip. Wine refers to its characteristics that we perceive with our senses; taste, smell, sight and feel on the palate. These properties are key in wine tasting because they help us understand the quality, style and uniqueness of each type of wine. Here are the basic elements of organoleptic properties below.
Visual Experience
The color of a wine provides insight into its age, type, and possible barrel aging. White wines darken over time, while red wines lose intensity and can take on a brownish hue. The lightness and density of a wine also reveal its structure and alcohol content.
1. Observe the color and density.
The color of a wine can reveal a lot about its age and structure. Hold a glass up to the light or a white napkin and observe the color. Young wines tend to have vibrant, fresh colors, while older wines can be a bit darker, with copper or brown undertones. The density of the liquid can also give you an idea of the alcohol content.
Source: Wine Folly
Aromas
The aromatic profile of wine is often divided into primary, secondary and tertiary aromas:
- Primary aromas come from the grape variety itself and include floral, fruity and herbal notes.
- Secondary aromas develop through the fermentation process and can include yeasty aromas and milky notes, even like butter.
- Tertiary aromas (bouquet) are created by the aging of the wine and can bring notes such as spices, leather, tobacco, wood and many others.
The aroma is one of the most important aspects of tasting, because wine can have hundreds of layers of aromatic notes that give a richness of flavor. The important thing when smelling is to develop your sense of smell, to the point that you will be able to recognize different aromas more easily and quickly. The best advice is to smell as much of what surrounds you as possible, from fruits, flowers, various foods, spices and many other examples.
2. Get to know the aromas.
After swirling the wine in the glass to aerate it, take a deep breath and enjoy the aromas that are released. At first you may smell fruity, floral or earthy notes, it is important to note what you smell, no matter how subtle. Much of the flavor of a wine actually comes through its smell, so take the time to explore it.
Source: Wine Folly
Tasting
The taste of a wine encompasses several basic characteristics. The first sip is the beginning of the story. After you’ve taken in the aroma, take a small sip and hold it briefly on your tongue.
Pay attention to the basic characteristics of the wine:
- Sweetness: A wine can be dry, semi-dry or sweet. Most white wines from Dalmatia, such as Pošip, have a natural dryness that goes well with light dishes.
- Acidity: The freshness of a wine comes from its acidity – young white wines like Malvasia from the Istrian Peninsula or Graševina from Slavonia often have a lively, refreshing acidity.
- Tannins: Especially important for red wines, tannins add a sense of fullness and bite to the palate. Wines like Teran and Plavac Mali have pronounced tannins. Also known as a tart mouthfeel.
- Alcohol: It provides warmth and is often felt when swallowing. This characteristic can add depth, but balance is key.
Finish
3. Longevity of the taste
Wait a moment and after you swallow the wine, take a moment and pay attention to the final taste. Longevity of the taste or “aftertaste” often reveals the quality of the wine – the best wines retain their richness of flavor long after you have swallowed them.
The texture of a wine refers to the feeling that the wine creates on the palate. This can be smooth, creamy or dry. Tannins, acidity and alcohol shape this feeling, and it can vary from light and refreshing to rich, complex and intense. After a sip, the duration and intensity of the wine’s flavor on the palate is described as the finish. Top wines have a long finish that leaves a lasting impression and can reveal additional layers of flavor. You can slowly count one, two three and up to ten. When the feeling of longevity slowly disappears, stop at the number and you can judge how long the wine lasts in the mouth. Our tongue is the most important organ in this story, it is with it that we taste.
Source: Wine Folly
Wine Temperature
Of course, the temperature of a wine also plays a key role in our experience of its aromas and flavors. If the wine is too cold, the aromas can be muted and the flavors less pronounced. If it is too warm, the alcohol can dominate the taste and mask the complex aromas. Below, I have listed the recommended wine temperatures for different types and styles of wine:
- Red Wines:
- Light-bodied: 14–16°C
- Medium-bodied 15–17 °C
- Full-bodied: 18–20°C
Why? Lower temperatures for lighter red wines help retain fruit aromas and freshness, while full-bodied wines reveal their complex aromas and tannins at higher temperatures.
- White Wines:
- Light, fresh whites: 9–11°C
- Medium-bodied 10–12 °C
- Full-bodied whites: 12–14°C
Why? Cooler temperatures emphasize the freshness and fruitiness of light white wines, while warmer temperatures for full-bodied white wines allow complex aromas to develop.
- Sparkling Wines:
8–10°C
Why: Sparkling wines are best chilled because low temperatures preserve the bubbles and accentuate freshness, providing a lively, sparkling texture.
- Rosé Wines:
8–12°C
Why? Medium-chilled rosé wines maintain a balance between fruitiness and freshness, making them light and refreshing.
- Dessert Wines:
- Sweet whites: 6–8°C
- Sweet reds: 12–16°C
Why? Lower temperatures for sweet white wines help preserve freshness and reduce the sensation of sweetness, while dessert red wines reveal complex aromas and rich flavors at slightly higher temperatures.
Wine category and traditional expressions in Croatia
- Quality wine with a controlled geographical origin – young wine, archive wine and dessert wine
- Premium wine with a controlled geographical origin – archive wine, dessert wine, late harvest, selective harvest, selective harvest of berries, selective harvest of dried berries, ice wine
- Premium sparkling wine
- Quality pearl wine
Enjoy the process and every future sip of top-quality wines
Everyone’s palate is unique, and every sip of wine can reveal a new aroma and flavor that will surprise you. Enjoy the process, explore different varieties, styles. With these first steps of tasting and recommendations for domestic varieties, your wine adventure can only grow and develop as you do, with every sip. This guide can help you gradually explore the diverse world of wine and discover what best suits your palate. The world of Croatian wines offers a wealth of options for every beginner. Croatia revealed has great recommendations for you. From fresh and fruity Graševina, subtle Pušipel to rich and aromatic Plavac Mali, special Pošip and beautifully balanced Istrian Malvasia to complex Teran. Each variety and region offers special experiences that allow for an easy and exciting entry into wine culture. Start your exploration through simpler wines, and over time you will develop your taste and discover the ones that give you the most enjoyment.
