Heading to your first wine-tasting? Here’s how to make the most of it
Wine-tasting events can be very enjoyable, especially if they’re experienced with good company. To make the most of a wine-tasting event, there are a number of things to be mindful of, and others to avoid in order to prevent mishaps. Bearing in mind that you are there for the pleasure of the experience but also to learn, it’s important that you are comfortably dressed and well prepared. Here are a few pointers to keep in mind the next time you’d like to attend a wine-tasting:
- Attire, perfume and note taking
Aside from being comfortable it’s also important to keep in mind the likelihood of spills when choosing what to wear for the night. That in mind, it would be ideal to avoid clothing with loose sleeves, and maybe opting for dark colored tops. Additionally, it’s important not to wear perfume to the wine-tasting to avoid it from being a sensory distraction. You’ll also want to be prepared to take notes. You shouldn’t have to struggle the next day trying to remember that third or fourth bottle you tried and really liked.
- Eat First
The assumption is that you are likely to taste a significant number of wines. Knowing that, you’d really want to be completely mindful of the experience without distracting hunger or starting to feel slightly light headed early into the evening. Be sure to have something to eat before attending the event, or even throughout the event if need be.
- Catching and Releasing
In order to experience the wine in the best way possible, taking in air with the mouthful of wine lets you taste but also detect the aromas of the wine. After taking a sip and letting the wine coat the inside of your mouth, you would normally spit it out. Letting go of the wine then leaves you with a window of opportunity to really assess the distinct features of the wine including its texture and finish.
Have you ever noticed how memorable a story can be?
Bring your experience of every bottle to a good end by asking about the story of the winery and that specific wine. By doing so, not only would you be able to appreciate the wine more, but you’ll also be able to make your winetasting experience much more memorable.