What wine characteristic is primarily evaluated during a tasting?

During a wine tasting, all characteristics such as color, aroma, and taste are evaluated to provide a comprehensive understanding of the wine. Color can give insights into the wine's age, variety, and even potential flavor profile. Aroma is crucial as it reveals complex layers of scents that contribute to a wine's identity; this can include fruit, floral, herbaceous, and earthy notes, among others. Taste is perhaps the most significant aspect, involving the assessment of sweetness, acidity, tannin, body, and overall balance which ultimately determines the wine's quality and enjoyment.

Evaluating a wine involves a holistic approach where these elements interact and influence each other. For example, the wine's color might hint at its taste, or its aroma might affect the perception of its flavor. By recognizing and assessing all these aspects together, a taster can form a complete profile of the wine, making it essential to consider all characteristics when conducting a tasting.