An Introduction
To Wine Tasting

Essential Tips To
Know Before You Go

What is wine?

Wine is the result of yeast eating grape sugar and transforming it into alcohol. Nothing is in wine other than ripe grapes and flavor from oak barrels. All of the descriptions you read about berries and chocolate are just ways of talking about flavor sensation, it's just the grapes.

What is the best way to taste wine?

There is no wrong way to enjoy wine, but many people get a lot more from the glass by taking a few moments to stop and smell the vino. Stick your nose in and breathe deeply, you might be surprised at the treasures that a well crafted glass of wine will hide. Swish the wine around in your mouth, stimulate the entire palate. What does that remind you of? The more you think about and talk about the flavors, the easier it gets.

What about Water?

Better to rinse with wine that water! Most wineries have water on the counter-- it's there to drink. Water is destructive to wine, and shouldn't actually be used to rinse your glass between tastes. Water will dilute the wine, and alter the chemistry, so if you must rinse your glass between tastes it is much better to rinse with wine than water. Tasting rooms present the wine from lightest to heaviest, or driest to sweetest, so as long as you follow the recommended order, you will never have to worry about cleaning your glass out. But feel free to sip on water whenever you want, it will be a better experience if you stay hydrated. We have plenty of bottled water for you in the vehicle as well.

How do I get wine home?

Many states prohibit wine shipments, but don't let that scare you! You can pack your wine purchases in a specially padded "wine shipper" box, which checks in like luggage on the plane. Honestly, this is the best way to take wine home with you and it is what the winemakers all travel with, and the same box is used to ship wine with UPS. And the shipping companies are no more gentle with your packages than the airlines, so it should arrive safely. These boxes come in all sizes; 2, 4, 6, and 12 bottles, although most wineries will only stock 6 and 12 packs.

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An Introduction To Wine Tasting