Wine Tasting Etiquette: Tips for Attending a Wine Tour

If you love wine, you would love attending a wine tour. But how should you act? Here are tips on wine tasting etiquette to make your wine tour memorable.

Wine demand in the U.S. is projected to have a yearly increase of 1% through to 2024. The rising demand is attributable to the growing consumption amongst millennials and the upsurge of income levels. Consequently, wine tasting events have been on the rise. 

If you\’re a wine lover, a wine tasting event will thrill you. You will get an opportunity to try different wines without needing to buy them. If you want to go the extra mile, check out these wine tasting tips for you to get the best experience. 

Here are tips on wine tasting etiquette that will make your wine tour worth it.  

Dress Appropriately

The color black is a lifesaver when it comes to a wine tasting tour. Avoid the temptation of wearing white; the wine spills won’t be quite appealing. While at it, don’t have dangling sleeves as you might cause spills. 

It would also be great to wear comfortable shoes, such as flats. Tie your hair at the back and have a purse or pocket to stash away your phone or notebook. 

Avoid Wearing Fragrance

If you\’ve been waiting to wear your Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Parfum in the wine tasting tour, you\’re preparing to attend, abort mission! Wine smelling is central to wine tours, so having conflicting smells can confuse others in the tasting area. 

Besides being a potential distraction to those around you, the perfume will make you miss out on the wholesome experience of a wine tour.  

Don’t Worry About Not Having Complex Wine Knowledge 

Not everyone who comes into the wineries for our tasting events is a sommelier. This is the place for you to learn! Feel free to ask questions and our bartenders will be more than happy to talk you through your tasting.

You shouldn\’t shy away from sharing your opinions and thoughts. Talk about the wine without worrying about having the right or wrong answers. Your host will be glad to have genuine feedback that can be used to improve or maintain the wine based on the suggestions.

Try Not To Hog The Booth 

Most wine tours attract a significant number of people. How you enjoy your wine at home is different from a wine tasting event. Don’t stand in the way as many guests will want to access the rooms to taste the wines. 

When you get your glass, move to give others space. If you’re talking with the bartender, you can move on the side to ensure that others get a chance to taste. As people walk away from the booth after getting their glass of wine, it will become easier to avoid a contest-like event where people are pushing each other with their elbows. 

Tipping Is an Indispensable Wine Tasting Etiquette

Not unless some bartenders have specified that they don\’t take tips, giving tips is an ideal way of motivating staff who are pouring your wine. 

If you feel prompted to tip, don’t hesitate. More bucks mean more pay for the staff. However, you shouldn’t feel compelled to give a tip as the wine tasting tour doesn\’t equate to a wine bar experience.

Eat Before the Wine Tasting 

In a wine tasting event, getting drunk isn’t the goal. Nonetheless, you’re likely to become drunk quickly if you taste the wine on an empty stomach. Eat well and hydrate appropriately to ensure that your body is ready for wine tasting. There are many amazing restaurants close to the wineries throughout Sevierville and Pigeon Forge! 

Have a Designated Driver

In 2018, about 10,511 people died from car crashes involving drunk driving. Make sure you have at least one person in your party who is willing to abstain so that everyone can get home safely. If everyone in your party wants to taste, perhaps our VIP Shuttle Wine Tour is an option you\’d like to consider.

Take Notes

A wine tasting event has a wide range of wines that you’ll love. By the time you’re on your fifth glass, you might not remember the name of the first wine you tasted. You won’t also recall the taste, making it hard for you to choose the desired wine in the future.  

Taking notes is a great way to document everything about the wines you tasted. You can note in a notebook or your phone. Pictures can act as a great way to record details about a particular bottle of wine.

While it would help to include the name and details of the wine, using a language you understand for further description is essential. Use names and descriptions that you\’ll comprehend the years to come.

Wine Tasting Etiquette Is Good for a Memorable Wine Tour

Wine tasting events are thrilling. You get to taste some of the best wines and learn extensively about the wines. Yet, learning about some wine tasting etiquette can help you be more comfortable visiting a winery for the first time, or to get the best experience.  

Are you looking for a wine trail where you can sample more than 70 unique wines? Contact us today for a mind-blowing experience.