You don’t need to be an expert to enjoy a Margaret River wine tour, but a few simple basics make tastings more fun — and help you get more from every cellar door you visit.
Look
Tilt the glass against a white background and observe the colour and clarity. A youthful white might be pale lemon-green; an aged Cabernet, deep garnet. The colour hints at a wine’s age, grape and style before you’ve even taken a sip — and watching the “legs” run down the glass gives a rough sense of body and alcohol.
Smell
This is the big one: aromas make up most of what we perceive as “taste.” Give the glass a gentle swirl to release the aromatics, then put your nose in and inhale. In Margaret River you might find citrus and stone fruit in a Chardonnay, or blackcurrant, cedar and violet in a Cabernet. There are no wrong answers — trust your own nose.
Taste
Take a small sip and let it coat your whole mouth. Notice the interplay of fruit, acidity, tannin (that grippy, drying sensation in reds) and the length of the finish once you’ve swallowed. Try drawing in a little air over the wine to amplify the flavours — the technique the pros use.
Etiquette and Confidence
Cellar doors here are relaxed and welcoming, so relax with them:
- It’s perfectly fine to spit or tip — that’s what the bucket is for.
- Ask questions; the staff love talking about their wines.
- Skip any wine you don’t fancy — there’s no obligation to finish a pour.
- Drink water and eat between stops to keep your palate fresh.
Your guide will happily explain what you’re tasting along the way.
What to Look For in Margaret River
Knowing the region’s signatures helps you get more from each stop. In the whites, seek out the crisp citrus and grassiness of a Sauvignon Blanc Semillon (SSB), and the stone fruit and fine oak of a benchmark Chardonnay. In the reds, the region’s famous Cabernet Sauvignon delivers blackcurrant, cedar and a firm, age-worthy structure. Try tasting from lightest to fullest — whites before reds, dry before sweet — so bolder wines don’t overwhelm the delicate ones. New to it all? Our first-timer’s guide has more.
Ready for the real thing? Our small-group 3-day Margaret River wine tour from Perth includes six wineries, cave and wildflower tours, cheese tastings, meals and accommodation — from $850 per person. Call 1300 456 788 or book online today.
