Water Before Wine? Maybe Not | Wilmington News

Wilmington News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 12, 2026 · 1m

Forget water before wine—sommelier Sarah Looper reveals it might actually sabotage your tasting experience. That first sip is everything, and smelling the wine while you sip helps unlock its true flavors through retronasal olfaction. Your palate isn’t a blank slate; pH, sensitivity, and timing all matter. Skip sugary drinks or cocktails before wine—they’ll throw off your taste buds. Instead, Looper’s pro tip? Patience. Let your senses reset naturally, savoring each sip as the wine evolves with oxygen. For pros, it’s a ritual: coffee to prep, water only on the way, no distractions until the…