Wine Tasting Tips

Throughout my career in the wine arena, I have been asked how to go wine tasting or simply how to taste wine. There seems to be a notion of a set standard of etiquette or unwritten rules accompanying a wine glass full of wine. Other than the basics, hold the stem of the wine glass and not the bowl, smell before you sip, and white wine before red wine; there are no rules to follow or adhere to when tasting wine. Wine tasting reflects your beliefs; do I like it or not?

With that said, here are some tips to ease you through a day in wine country if this is your first time as a wine taster.  

1.  Plan your tasting schedule in advance. Due to COVID restrictions, most wineries operate on a reservation schedule for crowd control to prevent crowding. Some wineries allow 60 minutes tastings, and others offer 90-minute tastings.  
2. Ask each winery about the different tastings they offer and the costs involved. A basic tasting will cost $15.00 to $40.00, while a Reserve tasting may cost $75.00. Cave tours, vineyard tours, and elaborate tastings can run upwards of $100.00+ depending on the offering. Shared tastings can be cost-effective but are not offered everywhere you go. Ask if the winery is child and dog friendly, too.  
3. Use the dump bucket to pour out wine after you have tasted it. That is standard practice and not frowned upon in the wine-tasting industry. It is wise to save your palate for the wines you especially love more than the others. Palate fatigue is a real thing.  
4. Take your time when tasting wine. See the color of wine in your glass. Smell the wine as it swirls in the bowl. Allow the wine to rest and swirl again to see if the nuances have changed. Yes, you can put your nose in the glass; it is customary to smell the bouquet of wine. What aromas can you identify? lemon, apricot, roses? If you don’t identify with those aromas while others do doesn’t mean you don’t know how to do it, it simply means you identify with other fragrances that are similar or even different than the other tasters. You may say citrus, stone fruit, or spring rather than lemon, apricot, or roses. It all means the same thing. Now sip the wine and identify the flavors in your mouth. Are they the same as what you smell? It is okay if they are different; most commonly, wine’s aroma and tastes differ. The 5 “S” Rule of Thumb: See, Swirl, Smell, Sip, and Savor.

1. When tasting wine, ask your server questions about the winemaking style, the region it is grown, the terroir, and the aging process to learn more about why the flavors and aromas are the way they are. Your server was trained to answer these questions. Education is key to selling wine, and it is their job. Ask the server what their favorite wine is from the winery.  
2. Now that you know how to taste wines like a professional, there are a few more tips to consider; don’t wear white clothing in case you spill red wine, don’t chew gum, or wear heavy perfume or smelly lotions. Pack a lunch or snack or plan a lunch/tasting during the day to absorb the alcohol. Eat a hearty breakfast, too. Drink lots of water and stay hydrated.  
3. Don’t overdo the visits; plan on 3 or 4 wineries in a day if you can afford to hire a designated driver or book a tour with an accredited tour company that relieves you of the responsibility of driving while drinking.  
4. And last but not least, don’t feel pressure to purchase a bottle or join the wine club; however, if the winery comped your tasting or added an extra perk by bringing out the winemaker, return the gesture and purchase a bottle or two. Tip your server $5.00 to $20.00, depending on the type of tasting. And most of all, enjoy your day!

To book your next wine tasting adventure call Tours & Tasting by Eat, Drink and Be Merry for more information 805.608.0792. #winetasting #winecountry #wineetiquette #wineeducation #winetastingtips #dosanddonts #redwine #whitewine #seeswirlsmellsipsavor