So many experiences, from mountains to wine

Discover the importance of terroir, nose, eye, and, of course, palate during a wine tasting – a sensory experience beyond compare

A wine tasting is about much more than just drinking wine. In St. Anton am Arlberg, famous for its stunning Alpine landscape, the combination of fresh mountain air and majestic views gives wine lovers an especially intensive experience while sampling the finest of this bottled wonder.

During a wine tasting, you’ll not only indulge and enjoy, but also train and refine your palate. This will let you explore the wonderful variety of wines, identify differences, and assess the quality of a wine.

The three steps of a wine tasting

• The eye
  The first step of a wine tasting is to check the wine’s appearance. Hold the glass of wine up to the light and assess the colour, clarity, and viscosity. These characteristics give an indication of the wine’s age, grape variety, and production method.
• The nose
  After the visual check, you move onto the sniff test, which assesses the bouquet of the wine. Bring the wine glass to your nose and breathe in, which will reveal the diverse aromas. These range from fruity or floral to spiced or woody notes. The aroma of a wine is a clear indicator of its quality and character.
• The palate
  The most important part of a tasting. Take a small sip of wine and swill it around your mouth until it coats all areas and reaches all of your taste buds. Pay attention to the balance of sweetness, acidity, tannins, and alcohol. The texture of the wine and the aftertaste – or finish – are other important criteria for your score.

The importance of the terroir

An important part of the wine tasting is understanding the terroir – the interplay of climate, soil composition, and geographical location, which determines the character of a wine. Make the most of your stay at Arpuria to sample wines originating from various different terroirs and experience the influence they have on the taste. One thing is certain: You’ll fall in love with the wonderful world of wine and enjoy the best of this “bottled poetry”.