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Hi Reader,

When I first started taking wine notes, I was so intimidated. 😬

I thought I needed to describe wines like “wild strawberries picked at dawn” or call out obscure aromas like “freshly sharpened pencil shavings.”

Here’s the truth: wine tasting notes don’t have to be complicated.

You don’t need fancy words, just a system that helps you remember what you liked (and what you didn’t). And bonus: they’ll help you learn your preferences and even improve your tasting skills over time.

Here's how to take notes without overthinking it.

🍇 The Basics​
Write down the wine name, winery, grape, and vintage. It sounds obvious, but by the end of a tasting day it’s easy to forget which “Cabernet Something” you actually loved.

👀 Appearance​
Just take a quick look. Is it light or dark? Red or purple? Sparkly clear or a little hazy? That’s all you need at first. It gives you a sense of style and age without getting technical.

👃 Aromas​
Start broad: fruity, floral, earthy, or spicy. If you want to go further, try to break it down (red fruits vs. black fruits, and then cranberry vs. raspberry). But there’s no pressure. Getting the general category is a great place to start.

👄 Flavors & Taste​
Think about sweetness (is it dry or sweet?), body (light or full), and texture (smooth or mouth-drying). That last one is tannins, the grippy feeling you get with black tea. Add in any flavors you notice, even if it’s just “citrus” or “buttery.”

💭 Overall Impression​
Did you like it? Did it feel balanced, or was something off (too acidic, too oaky, too sweet)? Would you drink it again? This is the part that matters most. It’s your take, not what you think you “should” write.

You don’t have to use a fancy journal either. The notes app on your phone works just fine.

Or if you’re a pen-and-paper person, I made a printable tasting notes sheet you can use to keep it simple.

So, what’s the funniest wine note you’ve ever written? Hit reply and tell me. I’d love to hear it!

Cheers,

Laura

P.S. If you want more ideas for aromas and flavors, the WSET tasting grid is a handy guide. Level 2 is a good place to start, Level 3 if you want to go deeper.

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P.O. Box 44, Pinehurst, MA 01866
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