Question about Winery/Wine Tasting?

Question

I'm taking my boyfriend to a winery for his birthday to have lunch and do a tour/tasting since he's turning 21. We drink wine, but have never done the tasting before. I feel foolish asking this but could someone tell me what to expect and how to act. I'm a little nervous. What do you do??

Answer 1

When you go to any vineyard/winery and they offer tastings it really quite a simple experience. You will simply want to enter the main tasting room, usually there is a long bar with several servers waiting behind it. Approach the wine pourers and say that you haven't been to this winery before and you would like to sample their wines. After you say this the wine pourer will take the lead. Most winerys have their staff trained to ask what kind of wine you might prefer first.... say what you like even if you aren't aware of correct terms, you don't have to be a coniseur. If you like sweet and fruity, or dry and spicy wines just say it. That will give the wine pourer a better idea of what s/he has to offer you from their winery. As you taste these different wines you don't have to speak much, the pourer will describe them all in an overly flowery detail. (ex. This wine has the citrus elements of peach, with a slight aroma of wafting grapefruit... aged for 3 years in cedar barrels.... etc.) You only have to taste as many as you like, and if you find something good to you, stick with it. Ultimately, the pourers would like you to buy a bottle and sit at the winery while you enjoy it. Don't be intimidated if you are not totally wine saavy. The people who work at the wineries prefer people who ask questions rather that stuck up know-it-alls who consider themselves experts on the wine. Enjoy yourself and have fun!!

Answer 2

There are really some fantastic answers here, so I’ll keep it short.

1. Remember you're there to learn. The winery already knows this.

2. Dress Sunday-casual and carry a light sweater. Chances are, if you're doing a tour of the production area, you'll go into at least ONE really cold room.

3. When in Rome, do as Romans do. Watch those around you and imitate them. If you have a question, don't be shy about asking it.

4. Discretion if you're confused about something, need to ask a question, or just don't know what to 'do next,' discreetly pull aside a staff member and ask them. you wont be the first to ask and you wont be the last either.

5. Have fun. Remember this is a celebration. Choosing a winery for a 21st b-day shows a great deal of sophistication, just remember you ARE celebrating something. The mood should be fun.

6. Transportation: if he's the birthday boy, that makes you the designated driver so be sure to monitor how many samples you have (its easy to feel 'oh I just took a sip' and not realize exactly how much you've had) and try to eat something after, if they have a cafe. If you're not ok to drive, take the tour again (walk it off) without the samples this time.

7. Keep a notebook tucked in your purse. Make notes not only of the wines you like, but the wines he liked as well. Also, remember to write down WHAT you liked about the wines so you can seek these characteristics out in OTHER wines.

Enjoy!!

Answer 3

It's actually fun. You can do the tour, or just stop at the bar and taste. The person behind the bar was hired for their personality along with their knowledge. Every time I've stopped at a winery (usually for gifts and a shirt) they're very friendly and love to chat. "Where are you from?" "What brings you to Napa Valley?" "Do you prefer white or red?" And you look at the little card and just say "I think I'm in the mood to try this 96 sauvignon blanc" or something. And if you're up to it, you can comment on it, or just say you'd like to try a different one next. For a little etiquette, swirl it a bit, then sniff, then sip. It's OK to bury your nose in the glass to get the aroma. And that spitoon bucket? Yes you could dump wine, but more commonly it's used for, well, spitting. True wine snobs don't actually swallow the wine, just get the taste and then spit it out. (That's a waste for me, I prefer actually drinking my $6 ounce of wine!) Just be yourselves, enjoy the wine, walk around the tasting room while sipping and look at the art or the view. If you like the wine and they have a patio, order a full glass and sit outside and enjoy the day! It's pretty laid back.

Answer 4

Each winery may do things slightly different.

You may get a menu selection where you mark off 6 wines that you want to taste. The menu will describe the wines to you. You get served one at a time, with just enough for a few sips in each serving. You will have crackers or something to nibble on in between to cleanse the palate. There is also a bucket present -- if you don't like the wine, dump it in the bucket.

Other wineries may have tasting stations set up. You stop at each station and taste the wine they are offering. Again, you'll find the crackers and bucket at each station. They may also offer water to drink to clean out the taste of the last wine before you taste the next one.

Answer 5

Just be yourself. You will be with people who are also taking the tour and enjoy wine. One thing, do not drink the all the wine you are you given to taste. If you do you might have to take a taxi home. A wine tasting is just that, a taste. You are suppose to spit out the wine you are given to taste. The winery will explain the wine, they do not expect you to experts. Have a great time, take in the scenery and let your taste buds do the work.

Answer 6

Depending on which area you are visiting for wine tasting....they may or may not charge. You can often find free wine tasting coupons for those areas that do charge. Some couples will share a tasting to save money. My husband and I often do this so we can sample more wines before the day is done.

Let the person in the tasting room know how many will be tasting . They will usually tell you what they are pouring. You don't have to taste everything they are pouring.

If you don't like the wine, the tasting rooms will often having buckets to pour the wine out. This is acceptable...and many will pour it out so they can taste more wines during the day.

Sometimes you will see a pitcher of water on the counter. This is not for drinking. You can use a little water in the glass to rinse it out before switching to a new wine. This is most often done before switching to a dessert wine.

Wine tasting can be lots of fun. We've met lots of people we've enjoyed talking to in wine tasting rooms. Have a great time!

Answer 7

Actually, the bucket is not there to pour the wine in if you don't like it--the portion of the sample will be so small that you'll only have one or two decent sips. It's intended as a spit bucket; the most aggressive wine lovers want to taste dozens of wines in a day, and rather than swallowing them all (and thus becoming too drunk to keep tasting effectively), they spit them out into the bucket. Spitting is optional, don't feel you must do it--but do NOT get tipsy! Many wineries are starting to clamp down on tastings because too many buffoons inspired by "Sideways" are crashing their premises, getting sloshed, and prancing naked among the vine fields.

Answer 8

You will be taken on a tour of the winery, and at the end, you will be allowed to sample several of the wines, and probably be given an explanation of each one. The sample will be small, just enough to get a taste. Listen politely, and you can learn a little. At the end, you will be given an opportunity to purchase any of the wines. You are under no obligation to do so. It is a fun experience, so enjoy it.

Answer 9

It depends on the winery, but usually there is a group tour where there is a brief history of the winery, that tells about making the wine and a little bit about some of the wines. After that, you will be able to sample some of the wine. Just act mature and don't get too wasted or you may be escorted out.

Answer 10

You only have to taste as many as you like, and if you find something good to you, stick with it. Ultimately, the pourers would like you to buy a bottle and sit at the winery while you enjoy it. Don't be intimidated if you are not totally wine saavy. The people who work at the wineries prefer people who ask questions rather that stuck up know-it-alls who consider themselves experts on the wine. Enjoy yourself and have fun!!