Posts in Category 'Wine Tasting 101'

Today I was thrilled to see a post by one of my favorite wine bloggers on Facebook (Sip of Spokane) with a video attached of my favorite scene from one of my favorite movies.   I don’t know how many of you have seen the movie “French Kiss” but if you have not at least watch this clip.  When this movie came out it raised the dream for millions to be come winemakers but for me it validated what I had always thought.  As Sip  pointed out the line “Wine is like people. The wine takes all the influences in life all around it, it absorbs them and it gets its personality." French Kiss (1995)  We are all different and we embrace that just as there is  as much diversity in the wines we love.  They can be the same varietal and yet taste totally different depending on the soil,sun,rain.temperatures and the winemaker. Viva Differences!!

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Even though many just assume that wine tasting is sipping, swishing, and swallowing – many are amazed to find that it’s actually a bit more.  Wine tasting is more of an art, an art that is used to distinguish the taste of fine wines.  Wine can be a tasty and refreshing drink – if the bottle was stored correctly and aged properly.

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Here is another great article on how to taste (not by me) that I found:

Going to a wine tasting can be a very fun and enjoyable experience. However, many people do not attend for fear of not knowing exactly how to act or what to do. There no great mystery to wine tastings, just a few things you should remember.

As far as etiquette, usually the ladies are served before the gentlemen. Some wine tastings offer you bottled water. Use this to rinse out your mouth between tastings so your palate is clean for the next wine. There is often unsalted and unflavored crackers and bread to help palate cleansing as well. You should always handle the wine glass by the stem. This helps avoid heating the wine with the warmth of your hands, thus altering the taste. Avoid wearing strong perfumes and colognes to a wine tasting. That may take away from not only your smell, but also that of the other guests. Also, avoid smoking, gum, and mints before and during a wine tasting to be able to enjoy the full flavor of the wine.

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I have to say working in a tasting room is a fun experience and a great place to watch human behavior. I like nothing better than seeing that new virgin come in and a slightly nervous look and open expectations dive into the experience. But as one who was once there I thought that some explanation of the basics would be helpful to all of you out there:

Ok I am here at the winery now what do I do? I don’t want to look stupid. What are all these other people doing? What is wine tasting about?

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I know it can be intimidating out there with all the “experts” in the wine industry.  But don’t be, a wonderful old man told me something that works in all phases of our life.  They all started somewhere!  Even that “wine snob” friend of yours who is busy sneering at you as you enjoy that great Rose’.  Some time they were where you are now.  They had to learn and grow and you will too!.  Just listen, watch and filter the information you get from going to tastings,events and friends.  Notice I use the word filter, this is because wine is a very individual and personal experience.  No one can tell you what your likes and dislikes maybe or what your wonderful unique taste buds may get from a wine.  They can tell you what they get or what most get but each of us is blessed with our own taste.   So listen and learn,but don’t feel you have to agree with everything everyone says. 

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Should wineries charge a tasting fee for tasting their wines in their tasting rooms?  This is quite the hot topic in most of the wine groups that I belong to. 

On LinkedIn alone in one wine community it got 158 comments at last check.  I was fascinated as I read through that these were not just comments from customers but from people  in the industry.  I think we all have this idea if we work in the industry that the ones who would complain about being charged would be some one wanting a “freebie” or someone who did not want to buy anyway.  From these discussions I found out it was a much broader topic.  What came to light was actually the subject that is closest to my heart, “the experience”.  Most of the people said they did not mind paying a fee if the experience was worth it.  Most did not comment on the wines not being good or that they did not get to taste enough wines. Though both those  comments were  mentioned in quite a few of the 158.  But what was talked about most was the experience and it’s worth. 

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Tasting Room Etiquette — Do’s and Dont’s

Do:

• Drink responsibly and drive responsibly – those little ounces add up.
• Plan ahead – realize that 3 or 4 wineries in a day is a lot and you will want to budget sufficient time for a lunch or picnic break.
• Plan ahead for groups – many tasting rooms do not have large spaces for large groups so call ahead and make sure  and let them know you are coming.
• Swirl, smell and spit as much as you want – that’s what those spittoons are for.
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