"Four S's of wine tasting: See, Sniff, Sip and…

Wine tasting involves several steps, almost all beginning with the letter “S”: see (sight), swirl, sniff (smell), sip, swish, savor, spit (or swallow) and score.

Three S’s
“See, sniff and sip” was printed in the Pittsburgh (PA) Press on May 7, 1962. “Next, remember the THREE S’s: swirl, sniff and sip” was printed in The Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, CA) on September 30, 1993. “See, swirl, sniff, sip, and savor. Three S’s of wine tasting #apparently” was posted on Twitter by Cumba on November 21, 2012. “If you’re looking to get more out of tasting wine, remember the three S’s: swirl, sniff, and sip” was posted on Twitter by Vinturi on December 1, 2015. “Wine Tasting is an art .. Its all about 3 S’s Smell, Swirl and Sip” was posted on Twitter by “Name too long to be displayed” on November 23, 2016.

Four S’s
“‘The Four S’s.’ These are, he explained, ‘see, sniff, sip, swallow’” was printed in The Journal-News (Nyack, NY) on August 13, 1966. “Four S’s, See, Sniff, Sip, and Savor” was printed in the Frederick (MD) News-Post on July 6, 1976. “Swirl, Sniff, Sip, and Spit: Wine tasting strategy (1986) is a pamphlet title. “Patrons encouraged to try the ‘four S’s’ of wine tasting” (swirl, sniff, sip, spit or swallow) was printed in the Santa Cruz (CA) Sentinel on September 9, 1992. “‘Four S’s” of sensory evaluation of wines - See, Swirl, Smell, Sip” was printed in the book Napa Valley: The Ultimate Winery Guide (1993) by Antonia Allegra. “See, swirl, smell, sip and savor. the five S’s of wine-tasting” was printed in the Philadelphia (PA) Inquirer on November 23, 1996. “The 4 S’s….... swirl, sniff, sip, *spit*” was printed on the newsgroup alt.ozdebate on June 18, 2003. “The four S’s of responsible wine tasting are: Swirl, Smell, Sip and Spit (not swallow)” was posted on the newsgroup article-blaster on February 12, 2008.

Five S’s
“An expert sipped wine in a tent and told his audience about the five S’s of wine tasting: see it, swirl it, smell it, savor it and then spit it or swallow it” was printed in the Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, FL) on May 28, 1988. “Practice the four S’s of wine tasting: Swirl, sniff, sip and spit” was printed in The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ) on November 27, 1994. “Swirl. Sniff. Sip. Savor. Spit. Those are the 5 “S"s of wine tasting” was printed in the Star-Gazette (Elmira, NY) on July 19, 2002. “Wine enthusiasts will then learn about the five S’s of wine tasting (sight, sip, swish, swirl and spit)” was printed in The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ) on August 21, 2002. “Tasting wine is a five-part procedure, and wine educators often describe the steps as the five S’s: See, Swirl, Smell, Sip, and Spit (or Swallow)” was printed in the book Drinkology: Wine: A Guide to the Grape (2005) by James Waller and ‎Elizabeth Aldrich.

Six S’s
“Swirl, sniff, sip, slurp, savor and slop: the six esses of wine tasting, reiterated endlessly” was printed in the Vancouver (BC) Sun on March 12, 1982. “Alton Long teaches the six S’s of wine tasting: See, swirl, sniff, sip, swish and swallow” was printed in the Sunday News (Lancaster, PA) on November 5, 1995. “The Six S’s of Wine Tasting: See - Swirl - Sniff - Sip - Savor - Swallow” was printed in The Morning Call (Allentown, PA) on June 14, 2001. “Mastering the Six S’s. Sight, swirl, smell, sip, savor and swallow” was posted on the newsgroup alt.food.wine on May 25, 2006. “Joseph says that there are 6 “S’s” in wine tasting: Swirl, smell, sight, sip, slurp, spit/swallow” was posted on Twitter by Better Chicago on April 26, 2017. “The Six Steps of Wine Tasting: See, Swirl, Sniff, Sip, Swish and Swallow or Spit” was posted on Twitter by Chocolates™ on May 4, 2017. “The Six Steps of Wine Tasting: See, Swirl, Sniff, Sip, Swish and Swallow or Spit” was posted on Twitter by Taleek.me on January 8, 2022.

Seven S’s
“There are 7 S’s to wine tasting: See (color & clarity), Swirl (to release aroma), Smell, Sip, Savor, Spit/Swallow, and Score (best to worst)” was posted on Twitter by Vino Virginia on February 26, 2015. “7 S’s of Wine Tasting: Swirl (& see), Sniff, Sip, Swish & Slurp (repeat), Swallow/Spit, Savor! Simple!” was posted on Twitter by The Tasting Room on May 26, 2016. “7 “S” of wine tasting [Eyes] See [Wine glass] Swirl [Nose] Sniff [Mouth] Sip [Wine glass] Savour / Slurp [Tongue] Spit / Swallow [Relieved face] Summarize” was posted on Twitter by wine.art on July 31, 2021.

Eight S’s
“See. Swirl. Smell. Sip. Savor. Stumble. Sex. Shower. [The 8 S’s of wine tasting]” was posted on Twitter by Milene Liezel on September 12, 2010. “| @YNChick in @ElkhartLake sez 8 S’s of wine tasting R: See, Swirl, Sniff, Sip, Slurp, Swish, Swallow & Savor” was posted on Twitter by Ron Ruggless on September 5, 2012.

Wikipedia: Wine tasting
Wine tasting is the sensory examination and evaluation of wine. While the practice of wine tasting is as ancient as its production, a more formalized methodology has slowly become established from the 14th century onward. Modern, professional wine tasters (such as sommeliers or buyers for retailers) use a constantly evolving specialized terminology which is used to describe the range of perceived flavors, aromas and general characteristics of a wine.

Newspapers.com
7 May 1962, Pittsburgh (PA) Press, “How to eat, Etc.” by Gilbert Love, pg. 25, col. 1:
“That’s what you’re supposed to do to appreciate wine,” said a young lady standing next to me. “They tell you to “See, sniff and sip.’”

Newspapers.com
13 August 1966, The Journal-News (Nyack, NY), “Rhyme and Reason For Wine Tasting” by Cleveland Amory, pg. 4, col. 3:
In any case, (Peter—ed.) Grieg finally told us how to taste wines—a procedure he calls “the Four S’s.” These are, he explained, “see, sniff, sip, swallow.”

Newspapers.com
31 May 1973, Atlanta (GA) Constitution, pg. 13-A, col. 1:
Wine Tasters Swirl, Sniff, Sip and Spit
By HENRY WOODHEAD

Newspapers.com
6 July 1976, Frederick (MD) News-Post, “The Wine Cellar” by Jack Groth,pg. B-2, col. 5 ad:
Wine tasting is a fine art that is based on simple principles. The art of wine tasting can be reduced to the four S’s, See, Sniff, Sip, and Savor.

Newspapers.com
12 March 1982, Vancouver (BC) Sun, “In wine, there is love” by Tim Padmore, pg. L2, col. 2:
Swirl, sniff, sip, slurp, savor and slop: the six esses of wine tasting, reiterated endlessly.

OCLC WorldCat record
Swirl, sniff, sip, and spit : wine tasting strategy
Author: Penelope Wisner; Marilyn Schafer; Sonoma Wine Growers’ Association,
Publisher: [Sebastopol, California?] : Sonoma County Wine Growers Association, [1986]
Edition/Format: Print book : English

5 February 1987, Chicago (IL) tribune, “Time-tested ways to build up better wine-tasting parties” by Kristine N. Curry, sec. 7, pg. 14, col. 4:
Now it is time to undertake the “infamous s’s,” as Maresca describes the required sensory activities—see, swirl, smell, sip, savor and spit.

28 May 1988, Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, FL), “Eat, Drink and Be Merry: Palm Beach Taste Fest feeds those hungry for expertly made food and tuneful music” by Betsy Hutton, pg. 3B:
An expert sipped wine in a tent and told his audience about the five S’s of wine tasting: see it, swirl it, smell it, savor it and then spit it or swallow it. The audience chuckled. They were busy eating.

Google Books
Mastering Wine
By Tom Maresca
New York, NY: Grove Press
1992
Pg. 31:
Now is the time to put the infamous s’s to work: see, swirl, sniff, sip, savor, and spit.

Newspapers.com
9 September 1992, Santa Cruz (CA) Sentinel, pg. D-4, col. 1:
Winegrowers group will host
‘The Art of Fine Wine’ benefit
Patrons encouraged to try the ‘four S’s’ of wine tasting
By MIKE BLAESSER
(Swirl, sniff, sip, spit or swallow.—ed)

Google Books
Napa Valley:
The Ultimate Winery Guide
By Antonia Allegra
San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books
1993
Pg. 69;
He then proceeds to explain his “four S’s” of sensory evaluation of wines - See, Swirl, Smell, Sip - as the visitors taste a variety of wines.

Newspapers.com
30 September 1993, The Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, CA), “Wine-tasting tips for novices,” pg. D5, col. 2:
Next, remember the THREE S’s: swirl, sniff and sip.

Newspapers.com
27 November 1994, The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), pg. E-7, col. 1:
WINE SCENE
Practice the four S’s of wine tasting: Swirl, sniff, sip and spit
By JOHN R. HAILMAN

5 November 1995, Sunday News (Lancaster, PA), “A vine day for it” by Marty Crisp, pg. B-1:
Alton Long teaches the six S’s of wine tasting: See, swirl, sniff, sip, swish and swallow.

23 November 1996, Philadelphia (PA) Inquirer, pg. F1, col. 1:
Wine Wisdom
See, swirl, smell, sip and savor. the five S’s of wine-tasting and other subjects will be covered by winemaker Eric Miller in Winetasting 101…

Newspapers.com
10 April 1997, Kansas City (MO) Star, “Pairing snacks with wine and other tips for your net wine tasting” by Joe Nebondorf, Kansas City Festival of Wines sec., pg. 3, col. 1:
According to (Marshall—ed.) Rimann there are four S’s of wine tasting:

. Swirl the wine to open it up,
. sniff the wine,
. sip the wine, then
. swallow or spit.

Newspapers.com
2 April 2000, Cincinnati (OH) Enquirer, “Tasting strategies,” pg. G4, cols. 2-6:
The following guide to the S’s of wine tasting can help.
(Starting, Seeing, Swirling, Sniffing, Sipping, Spitting, Snacking, Sneaking, Speaking.—ed.)

14 June 2001, The Morning Call (Allentown, PA), Go Guide, pg. 14, col. 1 ad:
The Six S’s of Wine Tasting:
See - Swirl - Sniff - Sip - Savor - Swallow
(Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery, Breinigsville, PA.—ed.)

19 July 2002, Star-Gazette (Elmira, NY), pg. 7A, col. 4 ad:
Wine Festival
Swirl. Sniff. Sip. Savor. Spit. Those are the 5 “S"s of wine tasting, but this weekend expect little spitting and much swallowing at the annual Finger Lakes Wine Festival.

21 August 2002, The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), “A grape-stomping good time in Belvidere” by Millicent K. Brody, Frank Curcio and Pamela Sroka, pg. B1:
Wine enthusiasts will then learn about the five S’s of wine tasting (sight, sip, swish, swirl and spit), which wines to serve with dinner and how to store wines.

21 November 2002, The Gazette (Montreal, Quebec), “At 9 a.m., wine tasting is a nouveau experience” by Bill Brownstein, pg. A7:
OK, perhaps bleary is too harsh. [Andre Gobeil] doesn’t get gunned. He doesn’t guzzle. He is a Societe des Alcools wine counselor. As such, he adheres to the five cardinal S’s of wine-tasting: swish, sniff, slurp, sip and spit.

Google Groups: alt.ozdebate
This is where Peter Lucas works?
Peter Lucas
Jun 18, 2003, 7:04:11 AM
(...)
The 4 S’s….... swirl, sniff, sip, *spit*!!!

Google Books
Drinkology: Wine:
A Guide to the Grape
By James Waller and ‎Elizabeth Aldrich
New York, NY: Harry N. Abrams
2005
Pg. 74:
Tasting wine is a five-part procedure, and wine educators often describe the steps as the five S’s: See, Swirl, Smell, Sip, and Spit (or Swallow).

Google Books
The Pocket Idiot’s Guide to Wine
By Tara Q. Thomas
New York, NY: Alpha Books
2005
Pg. 9:
Then you’re going to go over the five S’s: see, swirl, smell, sip, and spit or swallow.

Newspapers.com
20 November 2005, The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC), “The five S’s to Wine Tasting,” pg. 4H, col. 4:
(See, Swirl, Sniff, Sip, Savor, and Spit as a sixth.—ed.)

Google Groups: alt.food.wine
How to Taste Wine Like the Pros - Mastering the Six S’s.
Tony @ PHG
May 25, 2006, 12:43:22 PM
How to Taste Wine Like the Pros - Mastering the Six S’s. Sight, swirl, smell, sip, savor and swallow. Mastering the art of wine tasting requires an understanding of the basics of wine tasting including the six S’s—sight, swirl, smell, sip, savor and swallow.

Google Groups: rec.food.cooking

The Twelfth Annual Schaller Ribbon Report
Rusty
Aug 30, 2006, 1:51:38 PM
(...)
I judge wine at the state fairs and I may be able to help you understand the judging. We judge by the 5 S’s - Sight, Swirl, Smell, Sip, Spit (or Swallow if you are just drinking wines and not judging them).

21 July 2007, Star-Gazette (Elmira, NY), pg. 39 ad:
Wine Seminar: Seven S’s of Wine Tasting.
(Finger Lakes Wine Festival, Watkins Glen, NY.—ed.)

Google Groups: article-blaster
2008 Northern California Wine Tasting Events Of Interest
bill-platt
Feb 12, 2008, 12:12:05 PM
(...)
The four S’s of responsible wine tasting are: Swirl, Smell, Sip and Spit (not swallow)

OCLC WorldCat record
Swirl, sniff, sip, spit : the creation and social cultivation of taste in New Mexico wine
Author: Virginia F Moench
Publisher: [2009]
Dissertation: M.A. New Mexico State University 2009
Edition/Format: Thesis/dissertation : Thesis/dissertation : Manuscript Archival Material : English

Twitter
Sherdellah
@Sherdellah
@josell See, Smell, Swirl, Sip, Swallow or Spit? Or wait, that’s 5 S’s and that’s for wine tasting, LOL!
2:02 PM · Mar 26, 2009·Twitter Web Client

Twitter
Tualatin Valley
@Tualatin_Valley
SWIRL,SNIFF,SIP,SPIT: Fundamentals of wine-tasting. First Vinology Class #OakKnollWinery, SAT. http://budurl.com/Vinology. Next one 7/18.
2:34 PM · Jun 11, 2009·Twitter Web Client

Twitter
Brad Peters
@the_brad_peters
Wine Tasting Basics - Our sommelier posts about the 4 S’s of Wine Tasting: Stare, Swirl, Sniff, & Sip. http://ow.ly/15Oe3C
3:02 PM · Sep 8, 2009·Twitter Web Client

Twitter
astralmonkey
@astralmonkey
The 5 S’s of wine tasting- sniff, swirl, sip, swish, spit. The most important step, the swish.
9:45 PM · Nov 17, 2009·Twitter Web Client

Twitter
Black Star Farms
@bstar2009
5 S’s of wine tasting: see, swirl, smell, sip & spit/swallow (via Patty Held http://ow.ly/1bXjJ)
4:00 PM · Mar 1, 2010·Twitter Web Client

Twitter
Amani
@AlluringAmani
See, sniff, swirl, sip, swish, spit/swallow@vinyou: RT @NYWineCulinary: Can anyone name the 6 S’s of wine tasting?
10:07 AM · Apr 17, 2010·Twitter Web Client

Twitter
Taste Tested
@TheSaladExpert
An all new Wine Club in Gurgaon: ... the 4 S’s of tasting which are Sight ,Smell,Swirl and Sip , what a… http://bit.ly/aNMqlw TasteTested
2:36 AM · May 18, 2010·twitterfeed

Twitter
Milene Liezel
@Milli_Martini
See. Swirl. Smell. Sip. Savor. Stumble. Sex. Shower. [The 8 S’s of wine tasting]
8:18 PM · Sep 12, 2010·ÜberSocialOrig

Twitter
BLEND OC
@BLEND_WEOC
BLEND TIP: The 5 S’s to Wine Tasting: Swirl, Sniff, Sip, Spit, Savor!
9:25 PM · Nov 22, 2010·Facebook

Twitter
merciful
@maydoosah
The five steps in wine tasting: (1)See (2)swirl (3)sniff (4)sip and (5)spit.
1:34 PM · May 24, 2011·erased734497

Twitter
Winestyr
@Winestyr
The #PassionateFoodie asks, are you tasting #wine wrong? They recommend the five S’s: See, Swirl, Sniff, Sip and Savor- http://ow.ly/1DO97y
11:50 PM · Jan 12, 2012·Hootsuite

Twitter
Heard Grapevine
@HeardGrapvine
The 5 S’s to Wine Tasting: Swirl, Sniff, Sip, Spit, Savor!
11:13 AM · Feb 3, 2012·Facebook

Twitter
HiRanj
@RanjHiresave
Learning about wine tasting and the 5 Ss. See, Swirl, sniff, sip, spit.
9:33 PM · Apr 12, 2012·Twitter for iPhone

Twitter
Kathy Hayes
@kathyhayes_md
The Six Steps of Wine Tasting: See, Swirl, Sniff, Sip, Swish and Swallow or Spit: http://ezinearticles.com/7022171
4:54 PM · Apr 27, 2012·EzineArticles

Twitter
Savannah Sheppard
@slsheppard2013
The 5 “s” of wine tasting see, sniff, swirl, sip and spit. #classic
8:32 PM · Jul 10, 2012·Twitter SMS

Twitter
Ron Ruggless
@RonRuggless
Ess-Oh! | @YNChick in @ElkhartLake sez 8 S’s of wine tasting R: See, Swirl, Sniff, Sip, Slurp, Swish, Swallow & Savor
6:51 PM · Sep 5, 2012·Twitter for iPhone

Twitter
Cumba
@Lou_Tiamco
See, swirl, sniff, sip, and savor. Three S’s of wine tasting #apparently
10:48 PM · Nov 21, 2012·Twitter for Android

Twitter
Antica Cantina Wine
@ACLWines
5 five S’s of wine tasting: see, swirl, sniff, sip and swallow or spit. Some add two more steps at the beginning and end: serve and score.
12:05 PM · Jan 25, 2013·Hootsuite

Twitter
Christopher Watkins
@christopherbw
“1) See, 2) Swirl, 3) Smell, 4) Sip, 5) Swish, and 6) Spit…or Swallow.” ~ Sommelier Michael Green on the 6 S’s of Wine Tasting
1:32 PM · Mar 2, 2013·iOS

Twitter
Tieks
@tieks
The four S’s of wine tasting: see, swirl, smell, sip. #TieksAfterHours #Tiekstivities
9:32 PM · Mar 21, 2013·Twitter for iPhone

Twitter
INSOMNIA EVENTS
@INSOMNIAGROUP20
#WineWeek
Did you know the 4 S’s of #WineTasting?
1. See
2. Swirl
3. Sniff
4. Sip http://fb.me/1X3Byesvs
11:28 AM · Aug 29, 2013·Facebook

Twitter
Job de Swart
@MrWineJob
Hopefully I will not mix up to the 4P’s with the 6S’ in tonight’s blind wine tasting: see, swirl, sniff, sip, slosh and spit. #toomuchstudy
11:42 AM · May 26, 2014·Twitter Web Client

Twitter
Nicola Sutton
@CheffyNicola
Wine tasting class in college, see-swirl-sniff-sip-suck-spit-swallow and savour #GMIT #CulinaryArts… http://instagram.com/p/u8Y6NWuIrU/
11:03 AM · Nov 3, 2014 from Galway, Ireland·Instagram

Twitter
Natalia Szczepanek
@Nat_Szczepanek
Wine tasting steps:
1.Swirl
2.See
3.Sniff
4.Sip
5.Spit
Guess which one I’ve skipped, muahahaha ];->
5:22 PM · Nov 12, 2014·Twitter Web Client

Twitter
Kenilworth Kolkata
@KenilworthKol
The 5 S’s of #WineTasting:
#See
#Swirl
#Sniff
#Sip
#Savour
http://ow.ly/i/7RciO
6:30 AM · Dec 13, 2014·Hootsuite

Twitter
Le Grand Cellier
@GrandCellier
All the steps of the wine tasting ritual start with the letter S: See, Swirl, Sniff, Sip, Spit or Swallow and Savor #LearnWine
3:02 PM · Feb 23, 2015·Hootsuite

Twitter
Vino Virginia
@VinoVirginia
There are 7 S’s to wine tasting: See (color & clarity), Swirl (to release aroma), Smell, Sip, Savor, Spit/Swallow, and Score (best to worst)
11:31 AM · Feb 26, 2015·Hootsuite

13 March 2015, Central Penn Business Journal (Harrisburg, PA), “Wine 101” by Jennifer A. Fitch, pg. 29:
(Michael—ed.) Wilson identified the five “S” components of wine tasting: swirl, sniff, sip, savor, and spit or swallow.

“These five S’s are working together because it’s a sensory experience,” he said.

Newspapers.com
17 September 2015, Rochester (DC) Democrat and Chronicle, “Class teaches the finer points of wine” by Missy Rosenberg, pg. 6A, col. 3:
We’d be using the “five S’s” of wine tasting: swirl, sniff, sip, spit (or swallow), and savor.

Twitter
Vinturi
@VinturiOfficial
If you’re looking to get more out of tasting wine, remember the three S’s: swirl, sniff, and sip. #WineLovers #Wine https://pic.twitter.com/JT8ZSvJ5be
10:15 AM · Dec 1, 2015·Hootsuite

Twitter
The Tasting Room
@thetastingrm
7 S’s of Wine Tasting: Swirl (& see), Sniff, Sip, Swish & Slurp (repeat), Swallow/Spit, Savor! Simple! Come experience with us!
2:17 PM · May 26, 2016·Twitter Web Client

Twitter
Name too long to be displayed
@kadhaippomaa
Replying to @kadhaippomaa
Wine Tasting is an art .. Its all about 3 S’s
Smell, Swirl and Sip.
#LittleThings
2:51 AM · Nov 23, 2016·Twitter for Android

Twitter
Better Chicago
@ChicagoBetter
Joseph says that there are 6 “S’s” in wine tasting: Swirl, smell, sight, sip, slurp, spit/swallow. #mvi #makeitbetter #wine
@glunzwinery
5:38 PM · Apr 26, 2017·Twitter for iPhone

Twitter
Chocolates™
@JustChocolates
The Six Steps of Wine Tasting: See, Swirl, Sniff, Sip, Swish and Swallow or Spit https://ifuckinglovechocolates.com/the-six-steps-of-wine-tasting-see-swirl-sniff-sip-swish-and-swallow-or-spit/
6:54 AM · May 4, 2017·WordPress.com

Twitter
Vivanco Wines
@VivancoWines
The 5 s’s of #winetasting: Swirl, Sniff, Slurp, Swish, Swallow! #wine
2:34 PM · Oct 14, 2018·Sprout Social

Twitter
Jessie Groom
@jgr00m
It was the first day of my wine tasting class today and my professor explained the 5 steps of tasting:
See
Swirl
Sniff
Sip
...and the last one..was SPIT OR SWALLOW
I don’t even care if I’m immature I fucking giggled
4:06 PM · Jan 10, 2019·Twitter for iPhone

Twitter
wine.art
@wine_is_art
7 “S” of wine tasting
[Eyes] See
[Wine glass] Swirl
[Nose] Sniff
[Mouth] Sip
[Wine glass] Savour / Slurp
[Tongue] Spit / Swallow
[Relieved face] Summarize
What wine are you tasting today?
#winetasting #winelovers
11:01 AM · Jul 31, 2021·SMMplanner

Twitter
Taleek.me
@TeQno_Way
The Six Steps of Wine Tasting: See, Swirl, Sniff, Sip, Swish and Swallow or Spit
taleek.me
The Six Steps of Wine Tasting: See, Swirl, Sniff, Sip, Swish and Swallow or Spit - Taleek Articles
Wine Tasting is enjoyable so don’t make it a sophisticated, scientific endeavor. These six steps hold the method easy and pleasurable. The primary query you
6:29 PM · Jan 8, 2022·WordPress.com

“Four S’s of wine tasting: See, Sniff, Sip and Spit (or Swallow)”