New to Wine Tasting? We've got you Covered!

At a Wine Tasting

Going to a wine tasting can be a very fun and enjoyable experience.  There is no great mystery to wine tastings. Here are just a few things to remember.

1)  Etiquette

For the most part, glasses should be handled by the stem or bottom of the glass. This helps to keep the wine the correct temperature.  It is also recommended to avoid wearing strong perfumes and colognes to a wine tasting.  They may take away from not only your smell, but also that of the other guests.  Avoid smoking, gum, and mints before and during a wine tasting to be able to fully enjoy the flavor of the wine.

2)  Wine Color

You can tell a lot about a wine just by looking at its color.  When you attend a wine tasting, the glasses are usually clear so you can get a good look at the color of the wine.  The tables may also be covered with white tablecloths to help you see the wine's color clearly.  Do not let the wines name fool you.  For example, white wines are not white in color.  They may range from yellow to green to brown.  Red wines range in color from pale red to a deep brownish red and often become lighter with age.  Sometimes the color of a wine may indicate age or flavor.  

3) Sip Swirl Spit 

When trying a wine, take a sip, then swirl it to get a full mouthfeel.  Doing this helps to open up the wine's flavor.  Remember that the wine may have been in a bottle anywhere from six months to many, many years.  When someone swirls a wine, it helps release the flavors.  Just like when you're cooking at home and stir the food to help blend the flavors. Depending on how much you will tasting, you may choose to just spit the wine out in a cup. This is perfectly acceptable during tasting.  Just ask the hostess for an extra cup for spitting.  Spitting will allow you to taste the wine without getting the extra alcohol from swallowing.  

Most importantly, just enjoy your day.  

I hope this will help you feel more confident to go wine tasting.   Next time you are thinking about going wine tasting; make sure you choose the best wine tour company such as The Wine Wrangler to make it an even better learning experience!