7 Common Comparative Tasting Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them!)
You already know that tasting wines side by side sharpens your palate faster than anything else. But if you’re not careful, the way you set up those tastings can hold you back.
Small missteps—like uneven temperatures or mismatched wines—can blur the differences you’re trying to learn. Here are seven common comparative tasting mistakes that even experienced tasters make, and how to fix each one.
What you’ll learn today
- The simple setup errors that sabotage your tastings
- How to fix them for faster palate growth
- How to turn every comparison into real learning
1. You Choose Wines That Are Too Different
It’s tempting to grab two completely different bottles to see what happens. But comparing Sauvignon Blanc to Amarone teaches you almost nothing.
When the wines are that far apart, your brain can’t track what’s causing the differences—it just notices that everything is different.
Fix it: Compare wines that share one key element (like grape, region, or vintage) and differ in just one variable. For example: two Chardonnays from different climates, or two Pinot Noirs from different producers.
2. You Don’t Control Serving Conditions
Temperature, glass shape, and aeration all affect how a wine smells and tastes. If one wine is colder or has been open longer, the comparison won’t be fair.
Fix it: Serve both wines in identical glasses, poured within minutes of each other, and at the same temperature. Room temperature isn’t the goal—consistency is.
3. You Taste Too Fast
When you rush, you skip the most valuable part: noticing how the wines change from nose to palate to finish.
Fix it: Take small sips. Go back and forth between glasses. Pay attention to what shifts—does one wine feel rounder? Sharper? More aromatic? The learning happens in those comparisons.
4. You Ignore Order and Fatigue
If you always taste in the same order—say, lighter wine first—you might bias your palate. Or you might simply get tired, especially if you’re tasting several wines in a row.
Fix it: Switch the order occasionally or revisit the first wine after the second. Take short breaks, sip water, or nibble on plain crackers to reset your palate.
5. You Don’t Take Notes
Without notes, you rely on memory—and your memory will blur everything together.
Fix it: Use a simple format every time:
- Appearance
- Nose
- Palate
- Structure (acidity, tannin, body, finish)
- Conclusion
Keep your notes short but consistent. The point is to track patterns, not write essays.
6. You Focus Only on “Liking” the Wine
It’s natural to decide which wine you prefer—but “liking” doesn’t help you learn.
Fix it: Describe why you prefer one wine. Is it softer? Brighter? More aromatic? Focus on describing character and structure first. Preference can come after analysis.
7. You Don’t Reflect Afterward
The tasting ends, you put the glasses in the sink, and that’s that. But without reflection, the lesson disappears.
Fix it: Summarize the takeaway in one or two sentences. For example: “The coastal Chardonnay had higher acidity and lighter oak than the inland one.” This helps you lock in what you’ve learned.
How to Make Every Tasting Count
Comparative tasting works because it teaches your brain to notice contrast. But it only works when you slow down, control the variables, and reflect on what you found.
Avoid these seven mistakes, and every tasting becomes a training session. You’ll develop a sharper palate, a better memory for flavors, and more confidence every time you open a bottle.
