Wine Tasting Etiquette

Visiting a winery can be fun, but like any other business or establishment, there are certain rules of etiquette. Here are some tips to help you be a model guest.

Don’t wear how does wine tasting work or cologne before a tasting. The strong scents of those products cling to the palate and interfere with tasting the wines. It also detracts from the experience for your fellow guests.

Do not chew gum or use mints while wine tasting. Chewing or using mints can numb the taste buds, hindering your ability to enjoy and discern the wines.

Sip with Savvy: A Guide to Wine Tasting Etiquette

Don’t talk loudly during a tasting or interrupt the wine steward or other staff members. This is especially important when a sommelier or winery representative is explaining the wines. This is not the time to discuss sports or other topics that can be distracting to your fellow guests.

Do bring a pen or paper and take notes about the wines you taste. While making notes may sound like a chore, it is very helpful to help you remember the wines you taste later on (a day or two after the tasting, memories can get hazy).

Wineries usually have spit buckets available for use, but some people prefer not to spit. If this is the case for you, please be considerate of other guests and don’t monopolize the table or block the spit bucket.

Many wineries offer crackers, cheese, or other small hors d’oeuvres to eat during the tasting. It is a good idea to eat one of these small bites between each pour of wine to cleanse the palate and prepare it for the next wine you taste.