How to Behave at a Wine Tasting

My husband is the bar manager of a popular, upscale, Italian restaurant that prides itself on it's wine list. He also works part time for a small wine distributor. Keeping up with what's new in the wine world requires constant research, occasional visits to wineries, and frequent attendance at wine tastings. A tough job, but he is up to the task and as his spouse and helpmate, I often assist in research (we drink A LOT of wine), and often accompany him to tastings.

A wine tasting can be as simple as a couple of bottles set up on a bar at a local wine shop, or as grand an affair as several ballrooms jam packed with wine makers and reps from all over the world.

Once the almost exclusive domain of those in the food and beverage trade large wine tasting are becoming more popular as culinary fair events and venues for fundraising open to the general public. For the novice wine taster, these Bacchanals can be a bit overwhelming and perhaps intimidating. I know they were for me. However, after many years in the trenches, I have come up with a few rules to follow in order to feel at ease, have a good time and avoid a horrendous hangover.

SPIT MORE THAN YOU SWALLOW

Oh, I know, they just pour a tiny bit of wine in your glass from each bottle, but do the math; if there are 6-12 bottles being tasted per table, that would be about a half a glass of wine or more you are drinking per table. How far around the room do you think you are going to get before you become inebriated?

Yes, many people find spitting to be gross, and truth be told the only place I have seen any serious spitting was at winery in France in an outdoor courtyard. Most people, myself included, will either take a sip of the pour to analyze and pour out the rest into the thoughtfully provided buckets, or sip and delicately spit back into the glass and discard.

Make note of a couple of wines you really love, and come back to enjoy another pour later without discarding any.

TASTE BY COLOR

My rule of thumb is to taste champagnes first, whites next, then reds and finally ports and /or dessert wines. I know some people who break their tasting down further to varietals, Sauvignon Blancs first, then Chardonnay, Riesling, etc...but for me that's just a little too anal.

HAVE A PLAN

On your first time out at a large wine tasting, you will probably be overwhelmed by the variety, so it's a good idea to pick two or three varietals you really enjoy, say, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel, and taste only those wines.

Once you have become a tasting veteran, you will know which labels you like and which ones you can do without.

EAT SOMETHING

Even small wine tastings will at least offer bread or crackers as pallet cleansers and the larger ones often feature grand, gourmet spreads.

When attending a large tasting I usually have little something to eat when I arrive so I have something in my stomach to absorb the alcohol. I then discretely pocket several cracker or pieces of bread to clean my pallet between tastings.

How do you know when your pallet needs cleaning? Everything starts to taste the same, or you are switching varietals and want a clean slate.

It is also a good idea to stay hydrated. Stop and drink a bottle of water every so often.

OFFER UP AN OPINION

Everyone know the standard phrases used to describe the taste and smell (often referred to as "the nose") of wine: woody, buttery, floral, citrus, peppery, jammy, etc...but hang around avid wine tasters long enough and you will hear descriptions such as leather book binding, cigar smoke, gasoline, stinky diaper, and my all time favorite, rubber pool toys.

Often when sniffing and tasting the wine the first things that come to mind are general in nature, such as floral, fruity, or jammy, but if you like the wine, sniff and taste again asking yourself, what specific kind of flower, fruit or flavor of jam you are reminded of. Maybe you will conjure up a smell from your past such as freshly mowed hay or grass, smoke from a bonfire or just baked bread. Perhaps you will taste your grandma's apricot preserves, hot buttered pancakes, or chocolate covered cherries.

There is no wrong answer and sharing observations with your pourer or friends is fun and informative. However, please be tactful when offering up opinions in front of the person pouring your wine, as they may turn out to be the winemaker or a member of the family. If you dislike the wine don't offer up your opinions for all to hear. Save your descriptions of dog barf, stinky feet, and old banana peels to amuse your friends out of earshot.

SPEND THE NIGHT OR HIRE A DRIVER

If the event you are attending is at a hotel or resort, rooms may be offered at discount rates to attendees. Be sure to ask. You can then imbibe safely and if you are attending with a significant other, add a little romance to the evening.

If staying the night is not an option, go with a group and hire a limo or a town car, or at the very least take a cab. It's rare to be able to talk a non-drinker into attending such an event, so a designated driver is hardly ever an alternative.