We pay attention to each sense in turn in a 5-step process, progressing from the least physical contact with the liquid (visual) to the most (letting it pass your lips).
When we “taste” wine, we’re actually performing Sensory Analysis.  We pay attention to each sense in turn in a 5-step process, progressing from the least physical contact with the liquid (visual) to the most (letting it pass your lips).  If a wine looks or smells bad, you don’t have to taste it!  This is known as “The Path of Least Damage!”