Get The Most Out Of Your Wine Tastings With These 3 Tips

As an oenophile, a wine tasting can be one of the most enjoyable experiences of your life. It is, after all, the best way to elevate your palate and explore your preferences. But what if you are new to this? When you are at your first tasting, everything can seem overwhelming, maybe even slightly intimidating. Well, to be fair to you, when confronted by eloquent staffers and a complicated wine vocabulary, it is normal to be overwhelmed.

Lucky for you, we are here to help.

Whether you are going for your first tasting or are a seasoned wine connoisseur, let us tell you that there is a method to this madness. According to industry experts, getting the most out of a wine tasting really comes down to a few simple things. Read on to find out what they are.

1. Do some research

   Before you go for a tasting, you need to do your research, especially if you are a wine novice. It will help you know what it is that you should look for. A quick Google search will provide you with endless resources about wines, wine tastings, and wine terminology. Learn about the different types of wines, the wine producing regions, aromas, notes, and so on. This way, when your host talks about the wine, you understand well.

2. Always follow the tasting order

   When the person pouring asks you to drink your Pinot Grigio before your Chardonnay, they do it not because they are bossy but because there is an order in which wine should be tasted. This is because the taste of some wines will overpower the taste of the ones that follow. You should drink the lighter-bodied whites before reds because the latter might dull your palate to the subtle notes of the former. Similarly, dry wines should be followed by sweet wines, which means you should have your Riesling before your Sauvignon Blanc.

3. Embrace the spit bucket

   If you thought spitting takes all the fun out of tastings, you are wrong. Spitting is essential if you want to try more wines and remember their flavors. When you are at a tasting, even if you are just trying a few wines, the flights can add up pretty quickly. A general rule of thumb is that you should take only two sips of each wine. Don’t be hesitant to throw what’s left in your glass in case you don’t like it. Don’t try to get your money’s worth at tastings because that will get you drunk and no one likes a drunk taster.

Want to be a part of a wine tasting in Walnut Creek? We are here for you. At Vinous Reverie, we conduct fun and educational wine tastings. They allow you to taste a wide variety of wines from different regions around the world, all in a warm, friendly environment. Check out our schedule here.