For those of you who enjoy wines, one of the most fun and beautiful
ways to spend time together with friends or your significant other is to
head off on a road trip to Wine Country. And with so many
wine-producing areas across the country,
there most likely is one nearby enough for a day trip.
ways to spend time together with friends or your significant other is to
head off on a road trip to Wine Country. And with so many
wine-producing areas across the country,
there most likely is one nearby enough for a day trip.
But
due to some of the vague, yet de rigueur, behavior
expected of visitors, it can be a bit bewildering
or even intimidating to some. To ease any anxieties
and get the most out of your trip,
I've compiled a list of 'Do's and Don'ts' to keep in mind,
with the help of some wine tasting experts.
expected of visitors, it can be a bit bewildering
or even intimidating to some. To ease any anxieties
and get the most out of your trip,
I've compiled a list of 'Do's and Don'ts' to keep in mind,
with the help of some wine tasting experts.
Top Tips for a Wine Tasting at a Vineyard or Winery
My Top Tip Pick: "The Technique"
: ...for those looking to glean the most from the wines, swirling is a
great way to stoke (read: aerate) wine’s myriad aromas. For maximum
control, place your glass on a flat surface and swirl while grasping the stem.
When tasting, hold glasses by the stem rather than the bowl; holding
them by the bowl coats glasses in greasy fingerprints and can disturb
the temperature of the wine (ideally it’s been poured at just the right temp).
great way to stoke (read: aerate) wine’s myriad aromas. For maximum
control, place your glass on a flat surface and swirl while grasping the stem.
When tasting, hold glasses by the stem rather than the bowl; holding
them by the bowl coats glasses in greasy fingerprints and can disturb
the temperature of the wine (ideally it’s been poured at just the right temp).
Inhale deeply before taking a sip; wine’s aromas
comprise one of its most
beguiling offerings! Upon drinking, swirl the wine around in your mouth to
ensure it coats all the surfaces; we pick up different texture and flavor
sensations in different parts of our mouths.
Read her entire article
beguiling offerings! Upon drinking, swirl the wine around in your mouth to
ensure it coats all the surfaces; we pick up different texture and flavor
sensations in different parts of our mouths.
Read her entire article
My Top Tip Pick: "Ask Questions"
"Don't be a passive taster,... but engage the wine server.
They are excited
about the wines and want to share that excitement with you. Remember,
a winery visit is about the full experience, not just the wines. You never know,
the servers may pour you a wine that is not on the menu, or better yet,
do some barrel tasting. Connect with the servers and they will likely
remember you the next time you visit."
about the wines and want to share that excitement with you. Remember,
a winery visit is about the full experience, not just the wines. You never know,
the servers may pour you a wine that is not on the menu, or better yet,
do some barrel tasting. Connect with the servers and they will likely
remember you the next time you visit."
Read their entire article
My Top Tip Pick: (for the ladies!) "Skip the Lipstick"
"A wine glass slathered around the
rim with goopy lipstick is not
something anyone wants to see, especially if you’re the culprit.
And wine pourers don’t care for it because the lipstick often won’t
come off in the dishwasher... I suggest taking a break from lipsticks
and heavy glosses and going for either a tinted lip balm or a
smudge-proof lip stain that won't transfer."
something anyone wants to see, especially if you’re the culprit.
And wine pourers don’t care for it because the lipstick often won’t
come off in the dishwasher... I suggest taking a break from lipsticks
and heavy glosses and going for either a tinted lip balm or a
smudge-proof lip stain that won't transfer."
My Top Tip Pick: "Keep Your Wines Out of the Hot Car"
"A car that’s sitting in the sun will cook your wines in no time flat.
Find a way to avoid that." I'd suggest putting a large cooler into
your car or trunk with sealed freeze packs. Also have something
that can be placed between the bottles to keep them from
knocking into each other all the way back home.
Read their entire article
Find a way to avoid that." I'd suggest putting a large cooler into
your car or trunk with sealed freeze packs. Also have something
that can be placed between the bottles to keep them from
knocking into each other all the way back home.
Read their entire article
(John & 'Dottie' are now independent of wsj. You can visit them on their Facebook Page)
Tips all experts agree on:
~ Do not wear perfume or cologne to a tasting.
~ A winery is not a bar; be polite, subdued and
respectful of your hosts and the other guests.
respectful of your hosts and the other guests.
Tips you shouldn't forget:
for a taxi or shuttle, so that all may enjoy, but safely.
~ Dress stylishly, yet appropriately. Don't dress too casually,
but do leave your high heels at home. Also dress in layers,
bring your sunglasses, scarf, hat and a folding umbrella.
Have you gone on a Winery Tasting trip?
Share some of your favorite memories or aspects with me!
Share some of your favorite memories or aspects with me!
and, of course, please do look for wineries that offer organically grown wines!
Happy Autumn!!
live beautifully...
live beautifully...
stephanie-
Once
you're get to the tasting bar, don't be a passive taster, who just
stands there and says nothing. Engage the wine server. They are excited
about the wines and want to share that excitement with you. Remember, a
winery visit is about the full experience, not just the wines. You never
know, the servers may pour you a wine that is not on the menu, or
better yet, do some barrel tasting. Connect with the servers and they
will likely remember you the next time you visit. - See more at:
http://www.wilsoncreekwinery.com/Wine-101/Tips-for-Visiting-Wineries.aspx#sthash.26GCODpV.dpuf
Once
you're get to the tasting bar, don't be a passive taster, who just
stands there and says nothing. Engage the wine server. They are excited
about the wines and want to share that excitement with you. Remember, a
winery visit is about the full experience, not just the wines. You never
know, the servers may pour you a wine that is not on the menu, or
better yet, do some barrel tasting. Connect with the servers and they
will likely remember you the next time you visit. I typically like to
ask the servers what wineries THEY like to visit, so I get the inside
scoop of a region I am unfamiliar with. - See more at:
http://www.wilsoncreekwinery.com/Wine-101/Tips-for-Visiting-Wineries.aspx#sthash.26GCODpV.dpuf
Once
you're get to the tasting bar, don't be a passive taster, who just
stands there and says nothing. Engage the wine server. They are excited
about the wines and want to share that excitement with you. Remember, a
winery visit is about the full experience, not just the wines. You never
know, the servers may pour you a wine that is not on the menu, or
better yet, do some barrel tasting. Connect with the servers and they
will likely remember you the next time you visit. I typically like to
ask the servers what wineries THEY like to visit, so I get the inside
scoop of a region I am unfamiliar with. - See more at:
http://www.wilsoncreekwinery.com/Wine-101/Tips-for-Visiting-Wineries.aspx#sthash.26GCODpV.dpuf
Ask
questions. Once you're get to the tasting bar, don't be a passive
taster, who just stands there and says nothing. Engage the wine server.
They are excited about the wines and want to share that excitement with
you. Remember, a winery visit is about the full experience, not just the
wines. You never know, the servers may pour you a wine that is not on
the menu, or better yet, do some barrel tasting. Connect with the
servers and they will likely remember you the next time you visit. - See
more at:
http://www.wilsoncreekwinery.com/Wine-101/Tips-for-Visiting-Wineries.aspx#sthash.26GCODpV.dpuf
Ask
questions. Once you're get to the tasting bar, don't be a passive
taster, who just stands there and says nothing. Engage the wine server.
They are excited about the wines and want to share that excitement with
you. Remember, a winery visit is about the full experience, not just the
wines. You never know, the servers may pour you a wine that is not on
the menu, or better yet, do some barrel tasting. Connect with the
servers and they will likely remember you the next time you visit. - See
more at:
http://www.wilsoncreekwinery.com/Wine-101/Tips-for-Visiting-Wineries.aspx#sthash.26GCODpV.dpuf
Ask
questions. Once you're get to the tasting bar, don't be a passive
taster, who just stands there and says nothing. Engage the wine server.
They are excited about the wines and want to share that excitement with
you. Remember, a winery visit is about the full experience, not just the
wines. You never know, the servers may pour you a wine that is not on
the menu, or better yet, do some barrel tasting. Connect with the
servers and they will likely remember you the next time you visit. - See
more at:
http://www.wilsoncreekwinery.com/Wine-101/Tips-for-Visiting-Wineries.aspx#sthash.26GCODpV.dpuf
http://www.winecountry.com/winetasting/etiquette.html by Courtney Cochran
http://www.wilsoncreekwinery.com/Wine-101/Tips-for-Visiting-Wineries.aspx
http://guides.wsj.com/wine/going-wine-tasting/15-steps-to-a-successful-winery-visit/
http://www.therichlifeonabudget.com/2014/03/what-to-wear-wine-tasting-10tips-from-an-expert.html
