| Many small, boutique wineries are family-run | | | | you a glass of wine if you would like more. If you |
| businesses. Chances are quite good that you will | | | | ask to taste a wine for a second time, it is a |
| meet one of the winery's family members while | | | | common courtesy to buy a bottle of the wine. |
| visiting a winery. When visiting a wine tasting | | | | What should you do with the wine in your glass |
| room consider yourself a guest. The owners and | | | | you have tasted? If you do not want to drink or |
| staff are proud of their facility and wines. They | | | | taste the rest of the wine in your glass, you can |
| want everyone to enjoy their visit. Expectations | | | | pour it into a spit bucket. It is perfectly |
| in tasting rooms are different than at wine | | | | acceptable. In addition, it is a good idea to spit |
| festivals or in busy bars. After visiting 125 | | | | your wine into the bucket. Even though tastings |
| wineries in the last nine months and talking with | | | | are small, they do add up after a number of |
| numerous wine hosts and visitors, we have | | | | tastings. If you are unsure about spitting, practice |
| created a selection of ideas to keep in mind when | | | | at home. A frequently heard suggestion is to |
| visiting a winery and vineyard. | | | | practice in the shower. |
| The atmosphere in a winery tasting room is one | | | | Do you think wineries are being stingy when they |
| of a subtle sophistication. While shorts and athletic | | | | set 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. Gum | | | | the crackers, dips or cheese is to cleanse the |
| will distort the taste of wine. Heavy perfume and | | | | palate and to help one decide how the wine pairs |
| aftershave will also not permit you or others near | | | | with food. Some wineries have restaurants, so if |
| you to taste the wine effectively. Sense of taste | | | | you want lunch visit the restaurant. |
| is highly influenced by the sense of smell. Loud | | | | Do you want to enjoy a picnic lunch? Many |
| outside voices are not appropriate. Conversational | | | | wineries encourage visitors to bring a picnic lunch. |
| tones are perfect and fit in well with talking about | | | | Frequently picnic or patio tables are available. Ask |
| the wines you taste and meeting others who | | | | in 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 hosts | | | | Laws restrict wineries and many wineries are not |
| have more time to talk about the wines you | | | | permitted 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. On | | | | someone's home for dinner, it would be tasteless |
| busy days, some wineries will set up tasting tables | | | | to bring your own entrée. Staff and |
| or bars outside the tasting room. Give yourself | | | | visitors always appreciate good manners. |
| plenty of time at a winery. Relax and enjoy the | | | | If you have the opportunity to visit a vineyard, |
| wine tasting and the ambiance of the tasting | | | | do not pick the grapes. If you would like to taste |
| room. If the tasting counter is busy, consider | | | | a wine grape at harvest time, be sure to ask a |
| stepping back to discuss wine with other | | | | staff member. One winery we visited this |
| like-minded people. This gives others room to step | | | | summer mentioned how they don't mind visitors |
| up for a tasting. Many wineries have gift | | | | walking through the vineyards and taking pictures, |
| selections to browse while tasting wines. Take | | | | but 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 a | | | | were. It did not dawn on him until an owner |
| particular order based upon the style of wine. If | | | | reminded him that the grapes would have made |
| you choose not to drink a particular wine that's | | | | wine. The visitor tried to give them to the owner |
| fine. Gently cover your wine glass with your | | | | who replied, "They aren't good now. They aren't |
| fingers to indicate you do not want to taste a | | | | ready for making wine." |
| wine. It is so much more subtle than declaring, "I | | | | The best motto to follow in a winery or vineyard |
| don't like that wine." Not all wine drinkers like all | | | | would be the National Parks motto, "Take only |
| wines and wine hosts understand. Visitors do not | | | | pictures and leave only footprints." When you visit |
| need to announce to everyone that they dislike a | | | | a 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 and | | | | bottle of wine. Do not buy a bottle of wine unless |
| pour your own tasting. Allow your wine consultant | | | | you like it. Participating in a winery tasting room |
| to pour the wine. Many wineries will offer to sell | | | | can be delightful for everyone. |