We’ve all seen people who gargle wine with alacrity unbecoming of a human.
Swish. We’ve all seen people who gargle wine with alacrity unbecoming of a human. This behavior isn’t just for show. It’s one way to assess the wine’s body. If it’s Marilyn Monroe, it’s heavier-bodied like cream. If Twiggy, then it’s light-bodied like skim milk. But the main reason for swishing is to evaluate the wine’s structure. You need to flood all areas of the tongue and mouth — the roof (and the finish) assesses astringent tannins; the sides of the tongue and cheeks sense acidity; and the front of the tongue signals sweetness. As the wine flows over these gustatory areas, they help the brain form an opinion and a complete flavor profile. (Read more about swishing and swirling wine)