What to know before your first wine tasting festival

MrOferto

Is there anything better than going to a wine tasting festival? This is especially true if you’re getting out of the city, and visiting an actual wine yard in the country. Not only is this a nice day out, but it also gives you the opportunity to try dozens, maybe hundreds of wines. That being said, this can be a daunting experience, especially if you’re never done it before. To make the most of your trip, here are some tips for first timers.

10 things to know before your first wine tasting

1. Dress appropriately

Learn if there’s a dress code ahead of time. In most cases this will be smart-casual. It’s also a good idea to wear dark colors (this helps to hide spills better.) what’s more, you’ll be walking around a lot, make sure to wear comfortable shoes.

2. Don’t wear perfume

Your sense of smell is critically important when tasting wine. This is why it’s best that you don’t wear fragrance. Not only does this help you taste better, but it’s also a courtesy to other people.

3. Come up with a game plan

In most cases, there will be more wines than you could ever taste. This means you want to come up with a plan for tasting, instead of randomly walking around. Doing this saves time, and ensures you get the most out of your experience.

4. Don’t forget to eat

Drinking on an empty stomach is never a good idea. Remember, you don’t want to get too drunk, so make sure to drink water and eat something during the day.

5. Spit from time to time

There’s no need to actually drink the wine. This is a tasting after all. Most tastings have spit buckets at hand, and there’s no shame in using them.

Source: Photo by Jill Wellington from Pixabay

6. Keep notes

If there’s something you like, make an immediate note of its name and location. This isn’t the time and place to rely on your memory.

7. Watch your teeth

Red wine can leave nasty stains on your teeth. To counteract this you may want to bring a tooth brush. This way you can brush your teeth directly after the tasting. If this sounds like too much of an effort, chewing gum is a good substitute.

8. Ask questions

Don’t be afraid to talk to the winemakers. It’s why they’re there after all. Something you might want to start with is asking about the story behind the wine yard. You can also ask about the grapes, vintage, or region where the wine was grown.

9. Move quickly

Don’t spend too much time at each booth. Move on once your tasting is complete. Lingering could mean missing out on something special.

10. Relax and enjoy yourself

Another thing to remember is that you shouldn’t be overly serious. Some people forget this and take the business of tasting wine far too seriously. This isn’t an exam, so relax, enjoy yourself, and above all have fun.