Wine Tasting Room Etiquette

Many small, boutique wineries are family-runyou a glass of wine if you would like more. If you
businesses. Chances are quite good that you willask to taste a wine for a second time, it is a
meet one of the winery's family members whilecommon courtesy to buy a bottle of the wine.
visiting a winery. When visiting a wine tastingWhat should you do with the wine in your glass
room consider yourself a guest. The owners andyou have tasted? If you do not want to drink or
staff are proud of their facility and wines. Theytaste the rest of the wine in your glass, you can
want everyone to enjoy their visit. Expectationspour it into a spit bucket. It is perfectly
in tasting rooms are different than at wineacceptable. In addition, it is a good idea to spit
festivals or in busy bars. After visiting 125your wine into the bucket. Even though tastings
wineries in the last nine months and talking withare small, they do add up after a number of
numerous wine hosts and visitors, we havetastings. If you are unsure about spitting, practice
created a selection of ideas to keep in mind whenat home. A frequently heard suggestion is to
visiting a winery and vineyard.practice in the shower.
The atmosphere in a winery tasting room is oneDo you think wineries are being stingy when they
of a subtle sophistication. While shorts and athleticset out tiny crackers or tiny bites of cheese?
shoes are acceptable so are semi-dress clothes.Remember this is not your lunch. The purpose of
Do not arrive at the winery chewing gum. Gumthe crackers, dips or cheese is to cleanse the
will distort the taste of wine. Heavy perfume andpalate and to help one decide how the wine pairs
aftershave will also not permit you or others nearwith food. Some wineries have restaurants, so if
you to taste the wine effectively. Sense of tasteyou want lunch visit the restaurant.
is highly influenced by the sense of smell. LoudDo you want to enjoy a picnic lunch? Many
outside voices are not appropriate. Conversationalwineries encourage visitors to bring a picnic lunch.
tones are perfect and fit in well with talking aboutFrequently picnic or patio tables are available. Ask
the wines you taste and meeting others whoin advance if it is okay to bring a picnic lunch and
have common interests.where to picnic on the grounds. Do not bring wine
Tasting rooms can be crowded on weekends.from another winery or any other kind of alcohol.
Weekdays are generally slower and wine hostsLaws restrict wineries and many wineries are not
have more time to talk about the wines youpermitted to have any other alcoholic beverage
taste. In either case, if the tasting room is busy,on their premises. Besides, if you were going to
do not elbow your way to the tasting bar. Onsomeone's home for dinner, it would be tasteless
busy days, some wineries will set up tasting tablesto bring your own entrée. Staff and
or bars outside the tasting room. Give yourselfvisitors always appreciate good manners.
plenty of time at a winery. Relax and enjoy theIf you have the opportunity to visit a vineyard,
wine tasting and the ambiance of the tastingdo not pick the grapes. If you would like to taste
room. If the tasting counter is busy, considera wine grape at harvest time, be sure to ask a
stepping back to discuss wine with otherstaff member. One winery we visited this
like-minded people. This gives others room to stepsummer mentioned how they don't mind visitors
up for a tasting. Many wineries have giftwalking through the vineyards and taking pictures,
selections to browse while tasting wines. Takebut one day a visitor walked out of the vineyard
your time tasting and browse the displays.with several bunches of grapes to ask what they
The tasting representative pours the tastings in awere. It did not dawn on him until an owner
particular order based upon the style of wine. Ifreminded him that the grapes would have made
you choose not to drink a particular wine that'swine. The visitor tried to give them to the owner
fine. Gently cover your wine glass with yourwho replied, "They aren't good now. They aren't
fingers to indicate you do not want to taste aready for making wine."
wine. It is so much more subtle than declaring, "IThe best motto to follow in a winery or vineyard
don't like that wine." Not all wine drinkers like allwould be the National Parks motto, "Take only
wines and wine hosts understand. Visitors do notpictures and leave only footprints." When you visit
need to announce to everyone that they dislike aa winery, if you like the wine and want to buy it
particular wine.that is great, but you do not need to purchase a
Another major faux pas is to pick up a bottle andbottle of wine. Do not buy a bottle of wine unless
pour your own tasting. Allow your wine consultantyou like it. Participating in a winery tasting room
to pour the wine. Many wineries will offer to sellcan be delightful for everyone.