Wine tastings, whether fun and free at your local wine shop or formal and fancy at a three-Michelin-star restaurant, are situations ripe for slipping up in the etiquette department or making a scene. Personally, I've almost coughed mouthfuls of wine all over my hosts; I've dropped a full bottle of wine while examining its label; and I've splashed wine all over my dress slacks. Just to name a few.
Add to the list the number of embarrassing things I've seen others do while I've been on the job as a wine tasting host, and over time I've realized that with just a few common-sense tips we can easily become the thoughtful, respectful participants at free wine tastings that we hope to be — without the much-dreaded party foul.
Here are a few solid wine tasting do's and don'ts I've learned from spending time on both sides of the tasting table:
1. Look, Swirl, Sniff, Taste.
Nail this formula and you'll be golden. Not only will you feel
more comfortable knowing that you look like you know what
you're doing, but you'll be properly tasting the wine, too.
Check out the wine's color; give your glass a swirl to release
the wine's scents; stick your schnozz into the glass (try to
avoid actually touching the glass with your nose); take a deep
whiff; then, finally, take a medium-sized taste. Purse your lips
and suck in a little air, which helps swish the wine around in your
mouth. Just don't actually inhale your wine — it'll likely
be violently coughed back up in about 0.3 seconds. (Been
there.)
2. Spit. Seriously.
Sure, we may want to gulp down each and every free glass of wine at
a wine tasting, but nothing leads to embarrassing moments more than
getting too buzzed too quickly. If you're in a situation where
spit buckets are provided, use them. You'll notice that you can
still get your buzz on from the alcohol just being in your mouth
alone. Place your head a couple of feet above the bucket, open your
mouth gently, and let gravity do the rest. If buckets aren't
available, pace your consumption.
