Wine Tasting Etiquette...

 

I've been back in the wine business and behind the tasting room bar for almost a year now. I love the aspect of sharing my knowledge and love of wine with like-minded folks looking for a wine tasting experience. So many people are just as excited and eager to learn about the wine as I am!

Of course, working in the wine industry is not always as glamorous as it seems... Occasionally we do see customers "behaving badly". This can not only alter their experience, but can rub other customers the wrong way as well. Call me Miss Wine Manners if you will, but I have come up with a little list of Do's and Don'ts when you're visiting a tasting room...

Before heading out...
DO call ahead if you have a group of 5 or more people. Tasting rooms are often busy, especially on the weekends. Depending on the room, they may not be able to accommodate a large group. By simply calling ahead, the tasting room can suggest times of the day that may be better for your size group, or they may set up a special area.

DON'T wear too much perfume or cologne. Much of the wine tasting experience involves sniffing wine. If you wear too much perfume or cologne it will alter your tasting experience, as well as others'. Go easy on the scents...or better yet, skip it for the day!

DO make sure you eat a good breakfast or lunch. If you're heading out for a long day of tasting, it's also a good idea to bring some snacks, take some breaks, and drink lots of water! Believe me...I've learned the hard way. ;)

DON'T try to squeeze in too many tasting rooms in one day. It's a good idea to try and plan out your trip. You'll want to make sure you plan at least 45 minutes to an hour for each tasting room. There are many great wine tasting maps online for the area you plan to visit. Try to stick with 3-4 wineries in a day, your palate will thank you!  Make sure you don't show up at a tasting room any later than 30 minutes before closing!  The staff wants to make sure you get the best experience. Showing up 10 minutes before closing is not only rude, but it's a sure-fire way to miss out on all the winery has to offer.

Inside the Tasting Room...
DO assess the tasting room upon entering. The place might be busy, with a full bar. Take your time and walk around, look at the merchandise or the grounds until a space opens up for you. Make sure you don't try to elbow your way through the crowd! Believe me, the staff knows you're there and in most cases they will make a space work for you.

DON'T talk on your cell phone and try to use your "indoor voice". In most cases, tasting rooms are quiet spaces to contemplate the different flavors and aromas in wine. Talking on a cell phone in this space is rude and can be distracting... take it outside and join the tasting when you are finished. If you're with a large group and having a good time, it's hard to keep voices down. Judge the situation/tasting room you are in and act accordingly.


DO listen to the pouring staff and be polite. Staff will often suggest wines that you may or may not usually like. Be open to trying new things! You don't have to like every wine, just make sure you state your dislike in a subtle and polite way. It's okay to use the dump buckets to pour out the wines you are not fond of!

DON'T try to "out-geek" the pouring staff. Their job is to inform you about their wine. They love having engaging conversations with you about wine, just try not to make it a competition of "who knows more".

DO ask genuine questions. As I said before, in most cases, tasting room staff enjoy their job and love to answer questions about their wine and about wine in general. If you do end up with an unpleasant server, quietly take down his/her name and consider leaving a comment with the tasting room manager, either on a comment card or in an email. They usually appreciate a calm and fair assessment of the server's behavior.

DON'T gulp it down: it's a tasting room...not a drinking room! Tasting room pours are small for a reason...you are there to taste the wine, not to get a good buzz going. Try to sip slowly and really be thoughtful about the wine. Also, don't pester the staff for more tastes then they are allowed to give you. Even if you're planning to buy a case, they are bound by law to pour you a certain amount, in order to keep you safe.

DO stop to picnic at a winery that offers an area...just make sure you don't bring another winery's wine!


Hopefully you are already versed in most of these little wine tasting tips! The most important thing to remember is DO have fun and DO make sure you are SAFE! Designate a driver and do something special for them at the end of the day...buy them dinner or send them home with a special bottle purchased during the day!

Happy Sipping!