11/01/2025
The 5 Ss of Wine (and Life): A Lesson in Slowing Down
By James Boehm
I’ll never forget my excitement as an undergrad when I discovered there was an actual wine appreciation class—complete with a field trip to the wine store as our very first assignment. Sign me up! At that point in my life, wine was pretty simple: there was red and white. There was the sweet stuff I liked, and that dry, not-sweet wine that was just gross. That was the extent of my sophisticated palate.
Little did I know that learning to properly taste wine would teach me something far more valuable than just distinguishing a Pinot Noir from a Cabernet.
The 5 Ss: See, Swirl, Sniff, Sip, Savor
Our professor introduced us to the ritual of wine tasting through five simple steps. But these weren’t just about wine. They were an invitation to slow down and actually pay attention.
See. Stop scrolling. Stop planning your next sentence. Just look. Notice the color, the clarity, the way light moves through the glass.
Swirl. This isn’t showing off, it’s creating space. Taking a breath. Preparing yourself to be present.
Sniff. Before you dive in, pause. What do you notice? Our sense of smell is directly linked to memory and emotion, yet how often do we really stop to use it?
Sip. Finally, taste, but don’t gulp. Let it sit. Notice the textures, the flavors that emerge, the way things change from the front of your tongue to the back.
Savor. This is the moment after. The finish. The reflection. What lingers? What do you notice now that it’s gone?
The Practice of Awareness
Here’s what struck me: these five Ss forced me to engage all my senses, one at a time. In our world of multitasking and constant stimulation, when was the last time you used all five senses to experience something?
This practice became more than wine tasting. It became a form of grounding, a way to pull myself out of my racing thoughts and anchor into the present moment. Each S was like a gentle hand on my shoulder saying, “Hey, slow down. Be here. Notice this.”
When we’re anxious, overwhelmed, or disconnected, we’re usually living entirely in our heads, spinning in thoughts about the past or future. The 5 Ss pull us back into our bodies, into sensation, into now.
What I Gained
By the end of that wine appreciation course, something had shifted. Sure, I could now identify tannins and distinguish between different grape varieties. I’d discovered I actually loved a good dry Riesling, and that some of those wines I’d written off as “gross” were now favorites. I’d gained an appreciation for the history, the artistry, and the science of winemaking.
But more than that, I’d learned to be present. I’d discovered that when I slowed down enough to really pay attention, whole worlds of complexity and beauty revealed themselves—not just in wine, but in everything.
None of this would have happened if I hadn’t learned to stop, tune in, and become aware with those five simple Ss.
Now, whenever life feels like it’s moving too fast, I come back to this practice. I don’t always have a glass of wine in hand (though sometimes that helps). But I can always stop, look around, take a breath, and remember there’s so much more to taste in this life when we slow down enough to really savor it.
Moment for Reflection
I invite you to try this for yourself. Find something to experience with the 5 Ss. Maybe it's a glass of wine, a piece of chocolate, a mug of hot chocolate, or even a perfectly ripe piece of fruit. Whatever calls to you.
Go through each step slowly. See it. Swirl it (if you can). Sniff it. Sip or taste it mindfully. Savor what remains.
After you’ve gone through the process, pause and ask yourself: Is there something new you noticed that you might have missed if you’d rushed through? A flavor, a texture, a sensation you would have overlooked?
And then, take this chance to tune into your body. How does your body feel right now compared to before you started? What’s happening in your mind? Is it quieter, more settled, more focused? What about your emotions? Has anything shifted?
