Don’t know your tannins from your appellations? Don’t worry, you don’t need to be an oenologist to attend a wine tasting event.
Wine tasting etiquette is easy to pick up and with a few simple tips, you’ll be discussing appearance and aroma with the best of them. Find out what you need to know both before you get to your event and once you’re there with our complete guide.
Getting Ready For the Event
Before even stepping foot at a wine tasting event, there are a few things you can do to set yourself up for the best wine tasting possible. Besides sorting out some wine tour transportation ahead of time, here are three things to keep in mind:
- Dress in dark colors and avoid dangling sleeves to avoid spills
- Don’t wear strong fragrances since smell is a big part of tasting
- Eat something before to avoid getting tipsy
Master Your Wine Tasting Etiquette
Wine lovers have their own techniques when it comes to trying out different types of wines but when around members of the wine industry it could be helpful to know what wine tasting etiquette is expected. Most of these techniques are to help you best taste the wine, however, and not to single you out as a wine-tasting newbie.
Holding the Glass
It’s preferable to hold a wine glass by the stem instead of the bowl of the glass. This is to prevent leaving greasy fingerprints which can affect how you view the different aspects of the tasting and to avoid altering the temperature of the wine.
Use Your Nose
Wine tasting is all about utilizing as many senses as you can so before even taking a sip, take a deep breath and take in the wine’s aroma. It’s interesting to note that a significant portion of what you taste comes from your nose’s olfactory receptors.
Give it a Swirl
Swirling is a classic sight at any wine tasting event and now it’s your turn. Swirl the wine by placing your wine glass on a level surface and moving it gently in a circular motion.
Once you’re ready to take a sip, swirl the wine around in your mouth as well. This helps every part of your mouth to pick up on different textures and flavors.
Don’t Be Afraid to Spit
A wine tasting event is different from drinking wine at a bar so it’s important to remember the goal isn’t to get drunk. All those tasting-sized portions will soon add up so try to pace yourself. Spit buckets should be available where you can pour out the remainder of your glass, and, yes, even spit out what you’ve got in your mouth if needed.
Time to Give it a Taste
Now that you’ve mastered the basics of wine tasting etiquette, it’s time to test out your skills. Head to our travel section to find a wine tasting event near you or even one you can attend on your next holiday.