Spring is the season for new beginnings, and wine tastings in pubs, bars, and urban venues are an inviting way to celebrate. These events highlight lighter, fruit-forward wines perfect for warmer evenings. This is a beginner’s guide to noticing flavour differences, building confidence, and discovering your next favourite glass.
Spotting Seasonal Highlights
Spring tastings often showcase wines that feel crisp and refreshing. Sauvignon Blanc bursts with citrus and grassy notes, while Chenin Blanc offers softer apple and honey tones. Dry Rosés bring strawberry and floral aromas, and sparkling wines add festive bubbles. Tasting them side by side reveals the subtle ways grape variety and style can change a wine’s character.
Lighter Reds for the Season
When the weather warms, tastings shift away from heavy reds. Pinot Noir brings gentle cherry and earthy flavours, while Cinsault and Grenache offer juicy red fruit with light tannins. These styles are smooth, versatile, and perfect for casual evenings where wine should enhance conversation, not dominate it.
Pexels: Photo by Marcelo Verfe
Food Pairings That Bring Wine Alive
Bars and pubs often create small plates to match their tasting flights. Goat cheese lifts Sauvignon Blanc, Rosé pairs effortlessly with charcuterie or bruschetta, and sparkling wines cut through richer bites like fried snacks. Pairings like these highlight how food can transform a wine’s flavour, making each sip more memorable.
Make Notes, Build Confidence
As a beginner’s guide to wine tasting suggests, jotting down what stands out helps you develop your palate. Was the finish long or refreshing? Did a pairing surprise you? These notes make it easier to order a full glass, buy a bottle, or revisit a favourite style in future.
Why Venue Tastings Work
Wine tastings in pubs and bars are relaxed, social, and approachable. They remove the pressure of formality but still provide the excitement of discovery. By exploring seasonal wines in these settings, you’ll leave with a better understanding of flavour, a list of new favourites, and a deeper appreciation for wine.
