She was a good choice as a guinea pig. It was the young and less sophisticated wine drinkers he was aiming this wine at and he was keen to see what her response would be.

He unscrewed the cap and poured wine into the two glasses, set one on the table in front of her and picked up the other. He exhaled slowly, swirled the contents in his glass, sniffed it then stopped. He was conscious of Keely’s deep brown eyes watching him closely. She hadn’t picked up her glass.

“Are you going to try it?” he asked.

“I…I had a bad experience the last time I tried the swirling and sniffing. I really don’t know what I’m doing.”

“I’m not looking for an expert. Just your honest opinion.” He could see she was hesitant. “I tell you what, I’ll take you through the steps of tasting wine.”

He walked around the makeshift table and stood beside her. Her worried expression made him smile.

“Just relax.”

She looked down quickly, leaned forward and he watched over her shoulder.

“What do you see?”

“It looks almost clear.” She glanced back at him.

“Yes, but now pick up the glass, tilt it and look at it with the white cloth on the bench behind.”

Her hand hovered over the glass then she picked it up. “It still looks the same to me. Maybe a tinge of green around the edges.”

“Good, now put it straight to your nose and take a sniff.”

Keely held the glass so gingerly. It was as if she thought it might bite her. He watched as she slowly tipped it to meet her nose.

“That’s it, now swirl the wine and sniff again.” He moved closer. “Close your eyes and let your sense of smell take over.”

She didn’t look comfortable but she did as he asked. His own sense of smell was certainly working well. He inhaled her clean soapy scent.

“It has a fresh smell like…like mowed grass.” She opened her eyes and frowned. “It’s kind of fruity as well.”

He grinned.

She shook her head. “I told you I’m no good at this.”

“You’re doing okay for a beginner. Now for the taste test. Take a small sip of wine, roll it round your mouth then open your mouth a little and breathe in. Think about the flavours then swallow the wine…”

“Aren’t I supposed to spit it out?” The worry had left her face and the hint of a smile played at the corners of her mouth.

“You can if you want. After you swallow…or spit it out,” he conceded, “think about the feeling that lingers after the wine has gone.”

She took a sip of wine, rolled it round her mouth and swallowed.

“Take your time,” he said. “What did you experience when the wine was in your mouth?”