If you are planning a trip to a winery or tasting room, there are few things to keep in mind.
While getting ready for the day, skip perfume and other fragrances. This does not mean wear unwashed clothes, don't shower, skip antiperspirant/deodorant, and don't brush your teeth. Just don't add strong perfume or aftershave as these smells are usually overwhelming to other tasters.
I read that if you're serious about tasting wine, avoid coffee and avoid chewing gum, because it messes up your palate.
According to the book Cork Dork, some sommeliers avoid brushing their teeth before planned wine tastings.
I think brushing your teeth is a beginning and end of day habit that is hard to break. And, well, I'm not a sommelier. I drink wine.
Coffee is something that I love, but I can go without it. Not everyone is like me. Whether I have one tasting appointment or an entire day planned, if I want coffee I drink it very early in the morning so I have time for my palate to "reset". I don't drink it in the car on the way to a tasting or at lunch.
I never chew gum, but I usually have hard candy or mints in my handbag. While wine tasting, I reserve them for after lunch!
When you arrive, it's polite to turn your phone on silent or vibrate.
if you have an appointment, introduce yourself and your party.
If you don't have an appointment, if there is a concierge desk or greeting station, inquire about a tasting. Alternatively, look for a spot at the tasting bar. Even if you don't have an appointment and are stopping somewhere for an unplanned tasting, it is a good idea to introduce yourself to the person pouring the wine. This person may go by any number of titles, including winery ambassador or wine educator.
Once your tasting starts, have a great time, but be mindful of your surroundings and be respectful of others in the area. Drink water. Drink lots of water. Don't be the person that is falling down drunk!
Note: It is perfectly acceptable to take a few sips of your wine and dump what is left in your glass. If you don't see a dump bucket/vessel, ask! No one will be offended.
Allow your wine educator to tell you about the winery and the wines. Don't be the know-it-all that talks non stop and answers all the questions, asked and not asked. Most people are there to learn about the winery and their specific wines from the wine educator, and not from fellow guests. Over the years, we've learned a lot at, and had great recommendations from wine educators for wineries and restaurants!
If you are fortunate to be offered an extra wine or two that is not on the tasting menu, accept graciously! Try everything. Use a tasting to expand your palate and your knowledge. Try not go in to a tasting with a mindset that you "hate" Chardonnay or you "hate" Merlot. Take a sip. Taste it. If you don't like it, pour the rest in the dump bucket.
If you love what you've tasted, buy some wine and/or join the wine club.
I've noticed people sometimes leave tips at tasting rooms and wineries in Napa Valley. I don't think there's a rule on this yet. If you've had great service, or been poured wines not on the tasting menu, I think a tip will be appreciated, but not expected.
Note: If you do buy wine, and aren't planning to drive it home with you or check it as airline luggage, have the winery ship it to you. This avoids wasting time on your last day finding a shipping store, or paying fees to have your hotel ship it to you.
