The “proper” way to taste wine
April 29, 2024

First and foremost, the proper way to taste wine
is to enjoy it! If you’re not enjoying it, you might be doing it wrong...
One of many reasons to enjoy wine is its unique complexity. It allows its drinker to reflectively consume, as opposed to consuming just for the sake of. Wine pulls you in. It surprises you. Sometimes it disappoints. That is all part of the experience.
It entertains you with smell, taste, texture, and essence of place. While the first three might be obvious, the essence of place is often forgotten. It is a reference to where the wine was grown and the environment it lived in.
To get to know a glass of wine, you must consider its sense of place. It would be impolite not to. The artistic style a winemaker applied in order to create the flavor you are enjoying largely depends on the place the grapes were grown and where the wine was made. Such a diversity of hands shaped the wine you are drinking.
For Paloma, it is the mountainside vineyard that slopes for 250 ft and wraps south to north creating microclimates that allow growth and ripening at different rates, creating more complexity in the glass. And the extra rainfall that falls on Spring Mountain allows for certain grape varietals to flourish. It really comes down to listening to the subtleties in the glass and learning to appreciate what shaped them.
The
involves considering it.
Consider whether you like it or not. Consider whether it was well made or not. Consider who made it. How did they put their mark on it? What is unique about it?
A helpful tool when considering these questions is the 5 S’s of tasting.
- See
- Smell
- Sip
- Swirl
- Savor
Each of these have a purpose, and we will write more on them in the future, but for now just remember to slow down and think about the 5 S’s with each glass. You’ll be surprised at what you pick up simply by slowing down.
There are many “rules” to wine drinking, but so many of them are pretentious ideals from the past that don't apply today. However, the etiquette of holding your wine glass by the stem is an important one. This serves two purposes: you don’t warm up the wine with your hand and you don’t dirty the glass with greasy fingers.…
Otherwise, wine is just meant to be enjoyed. It is an experience. That is why people come to taste it. How you choose to experience it is up to you. It is so much more than a simple beverage; it is an art form that has been evolving for over 7000 years.

By caston
•
August 18, 2025
At Paloma, Merlot is the soul of our story. It is the grape that founders Jim & Barbara fell in love with on their journey to Spring Mountain. Picture this: it’s the late 1970s, and Barbara and Jim are visiting the Duckhorn vineyard, tasting their famed Three Palms Merlot. They lean into a sip and feel stirred—not just by the wine’s richness, but by its quiet elegance. That moment sparked something. They looked at each other and thought, “This is the wine we want to make. These are grapes we have to grow.” Before they even found the site, they had their hearts set on Merlot. By the time they found the raw land at the top of Spring Mountain, there was no changing their minds. Back then, planting Merlot at that elevation was almost unheard of—too cool, too risky. But they trusted their instincts and took the leap.

By WSI
•
March 26, 2025
At Paloma Vineyard, sustainability is more than just a practice—it’s the foundation of everything we do. Nestled on Napa Valley’s Spring Mountain, our small, family-run vineyard has been embracing sustainable and regenerative farming for over four decades. Every choice we make, from cover cropping to solar power, reflects our deep respect for the land and our commitment to producing exceptional wines that honor both our family legacy and the environment.

By WSI
•
March 6, 2025
Merlot has captivated wine enthusiasts for over two centuries with its smooth texture, rich flavors, and remarkable versatility. As one of the most widely planted grape varietals in the world, Merlot holds a prominent place on dinner tables and in wine cellars from Bordeaux to Napa Valley. But what makes Merlot so special? The answer lies in the grape’s adaptability, the care that goes into its cultivation, and the sense of place reflected in every bottle.

By taste_2420_views_enjoy
•
December 31, 2024
At our sustainable winery and vineyard , every choice we make reflects our commitment to preserving the environment and crafting exceptional wines. From innovative trellising systems to thoughtful vineyard management, we strive to balance nature’s needs with our vision for creating wines that tell a story in every sip.