Whether you’re new to the world of wine tasting or you’re a seasoned wino, wine tasting etiquette is everything you need to know before your next wine tasting adventure. While a few of these wine tasting tips might sound obvious, others might comes as a surprise. As someone who considers herself a wine professional and has experienced her fair share of wine tasting, I want you to learn from my past wine tasting mistakes. My goal is to set you up for success and the most enjoyable experience!
What is Wine Tasting Etiquette?
Wine tasting etiquette is essentially the rules of wine tasting. In other words, , or the do’s and don’ts. Following these general wine tasting tips will maximize your wine tasting experience and prevent you from unintentionally offending anyone or hindering another’s wine tasting experience.
Wine Tasting Rules You Need to Know
Following these general rules of wine tasting etiquette to make your wine tasting adventures the best possible:
- Don’t Overbook Your Day
Cramming too much into your day creates unnecessary stress and rushes you through each experience. When booking tastings, be sure to check how long each experience will last. Most wineries offer wine tastings that last from one to one and a half hours. Based on this general timing, I recommend scheduling 1-3 wineries per day. For example, start your day mid-morning with the first wine tasting, followed by lunch, then ending with a final wine tasting in the afternoon.
- Spitting Wine is OK
A common misconception is that spitting out wine is offensive. But, likely to your surprise, it’s not rude. If you’re planning to visit several wineries, spitting during tastings is a wise strategy to sustain your wine tasting experiences without getting too intoxicated. It will also preserve your ability to properly taste each wine. This also goes for pouring out wine you don’t want to drink. Always ask for a spitoon to appropriately dispose of the wine you don’t want.
- Getting Over Intoxicated is a Faux Paux
Simply put: just don’t. Avoid becoming too drunk or intoxicated during your wine tasting adventures. Not only is this unenjoyable for the wine host and your fellow taster’s, but it’s just plain annoying. So, stay classy, friends. A buzz is fine– we just don’t want to get sloppy.
- Making Reservations Is a Must
The majority of wineries in California wine country, such as Napa, Sonoma, and the Central coast, will require appointments. While some still offer walk-ins, it’s polite to reserve your tasting ahead of time. This will also prevent a long wait for you– especially on busy weekend days. Most wineries allow you to make reservations on their website. If not, you can call each winery directly.
- Bring Snacks
This is arguably my most important wine tasting tip! Always be prepared with snacks and munchies. This helps keep your wine buzz at bay, while preventing hunger. Nothing will disrupt your wine tasting experience like hanger. However, always check with each winery to learn their food rules. Some wineries allow outside food, others don’t. If a winery does not allow outside food, leave it in the car. My favorite wine tasting snacks included cheese, cured meats, crackers, fresh fruit, dried fruit, nuts, etc.
- Be Punctual
Punctuality is a basic of wine etiquette. Just like every other appointment, it’s important to respect your reserved time at each winery. If you know you’re running behind, call the winery ahead of time and let them know your ETA.
- Tip Your Host
Similar to other services, like a server at a restaurant or nail tech at a nail salon, a wine host is there to serve you. They deserve a tip! However, tipping during your wine tasting isn’t an automatic 20% tip. It’s more appropriate (and expected) to be tipped based on the hospitality you received, your connection with the host, the host’s wine experience, etc. You can use your discretion with tipping.
- Be Safe and Assign a Trusted DD
Don’t drink and drive. Period. If no one in your wine tasting group is willing to be the DD, hire a driver beforehand. If you’re on a wine tasting budget, make sure someone knows they are the assigned DD and is okay with it. The DD can still enjoy tastings by spitting out the wine, instead of swallowing. Note: Ubers and many ride sharing services are pretty unreliable in most wine countries. Hire a professional driver instead.
- No Snobs Allowed
No one likes a wine snob. So, don’t be one! Even if you’re an experienced wine pro, it doesn’t reserve you the right to act like a know-it-all.
- Go Easy on the Perfume
Strong scents can change the way you experience wine. So, for the sake of your wine tasting experience, and that of those around you, limit your perfume for the day– or skip it all together. Fun fact: most of your taste is from scent. So, breathing in strong perfume scents will definitely alter the way you taste each wine.
- Holding a wine glass by the bowl
Always hold your wine glass by the stem– not the bowl. When holding the bowl, your body temperature will naturally warm the wine inside, altering the taste. Holding the stem also allows you to swirl the wine better for improved taste.
- Don’t pour wine yourself
Never– never ever– grab a wine bottle and pour for yourself. This is extremely rude and (in some cases illegal – as customers are not allowed to freely pour). If you’re ready for your next taste, you can ask to be served the next wine.
By following these basics of wine tasting etiquette, you will ensure the best wine tasting experience possible. Be sure to share these wine tasting tips with your wine tasting crew before you head out for the day so that you’re all on the same page!
Cheers,
Raquel
