8 Things to Know Before Going Wine Tasting

1. Know the Winery’s Policies

Before you head to a winery for a wine tasting, make sure you know their specific policies.

Due to COVID-19, most wineries are only welcoming guests by reservation. Even if the region’s local laws are lenient on COVID guidelines, it’s still a good idea to call and ask. Before COVID, some wineries were so in demand that they required a reservation. Remember that weekends tend to be busier!

Group visit policies vary from place to place. They’re usually fine, but some wineries may not accommodate larger groups. You’ll most likely be fine if you place a reservation.

Wine tasting and tours can be a fun activity for the whole family. The whole experience isn’t just about drinking, after all. 

Most wineries let kids and dogs in on the fun, but it’s best to call in advance just to make sure. Some wineries charge a tour fee for adults and kids, so keep that in mind when budgeting for the trip. Make sure to watch your kids and animals at all times.

2. Wear the Right Clothing

While most wineries don’t have strict dress codes, it doesn’t hurt to check. It would definitely save you the embarrassment of showing up underdressed. Plus, on a hot summer day, there’s nothing worse than being overdressed.

Look up the weather for the day to see how cold/hot it’ll be during your experience. On the day of wine tasting, it’s a good idea to dress in layers as some tours have guests walk through a cold barrel room. Almost all winery tours will take guests outside, so wear sunscreen or a long-sleeved shirt. And definitely wear comfortable shoes designed for walking. Your feet will thank you because you’re going to be walking a lot.

Accidents happen, even to the most experienced wine tasters. That’s why it’s a good idea to wear something dark. If you spill a bit of wine on your white clothes, it’ll be very noticeable and hard to get off. Plus, darker clothes absorb more sunlight, so you’ll feel cooler.

3. Don’t Wear Fragrance in the Vineyard

A huge part of the wine tasting experience is getting to smell all sorts of beautiful aromas. Smelling wine is a huge part of tasting it.

You might ruin the whole experience for a lot of people if you wear heavy cologne or perfume. Your scent could disrupt the taste of the wine. 

4. Pace Yourself

If you become too tipsy early, you’re not going to have a good time. That’s why it’s really important to pace yourself.

There are all sorts of tips to staying sober during your visit, but part of it starts before you even go. Try to eat a meal before visiting the winery. Don’t stuff yourself too much as you’ll be walking around, but just enough to satisfy your hunger for a while.

During your experience, there’s plenty of things you can do to keep yourself straight. Drink water between every tasting. It’ll keep you hydrated and get you ready for the next tasting.

Something you might not have thought about: spitting. Yes, spitting. It’s almost always frowned upon in public, but completely acceptable at a winery. Most wineries actually have a spit cup or a spit bucket for guests. If you don’t like a certain wine or you don’t want to get tipsy, just spit it out. 

Be careful when spitting, though! If you do it too fast or angle it weirdly, you might get a bit of backsplash on you. Which is very, very disgusting. Spit slowly and open your mouth a bit more than you usually would.

5. Use Proper Technique

While you don’t necessarily have to use proper wine drinking techniques, it’ll definitely give you a better feel of the wine’s taste. 

When you grab your glass, get it by the stem rather than the bowl. If you grab it by the bowl, you might dirty the glass. Plus, your hands could ruin the wine by making it warm.

Once your pourer gives you some wine, swirl it around a bit. Gently move your arm clockwise or counterclockwise to do the job. Then, you’re going to hold the cup up to your nose and inhale. The scent is a huge part of the experience. After that, you’re going to sip the wine and swish it around in your mouth. 

You really get a good taste of the wine if it touches every part of your mouth. Take a second or third sip to get a good opinion of its taste. Remember that if it’s not for you, that’s completely fine, just spit it out.

6. Consider Taking Notes

It might be a good idea to take notes about which wines you like and dislike. You could use this info if you want to buy a bottle to bring home. 

A pad of paper or the notes app on your phone should do just fine. Also, consider joining our mailing list to stay up to date with wine tasting events

7. Prepare for Red-Wine Teeth

You’re going to be drinking all sorts of wine, so inevitably you’re going to get some red stains on your teeth. Don’t get embarrassed, though. Everyone else will have red teeth, too.

No matter what, do not brush your teeth to get these stains off. Toothpaste and wine don’t mix well. When combined with wine, toothpaste actually breaks down the protective enamel on your teeth.

Drink a lot of water and bring some chewing gum. Not a perfect solution, but better than nothing.

8. Have Fun and Bring Something Home

Talk to people, make new friends, and get some great wine. Wine tasting is an insanely fun activity, and you’ll definitely be back for more.

It’s always a great idea to bring a bottle of wine home. If you’re on vacation, check the local laws when it comes to transporting alcohol.

Don’t shy away from talking to the wine pourers, they’d be happy to explain what goes into making every bottle. If you’re going to talk to them, just be sure to not get in the way of anyone else getting their wine. Tip your pourer if it’s proper etiquette in the region.

Ready to Visit a Beautiful Winery in the North Okanagan Region?

You’re going to have a great time at your first winery visit. If you’re looking for somewhere to go, then consider Larch Hills Winery in North Okanagan. 

Larch Hills Winery is a family-owned winery that offers some of the best BC wines available. Get in touch with our team today to book your next wine tasting experience.

Looking for the best BC wines at home? Consider joining the exclusive BC wine club or purchase your own bottles through our Okanagan wine shop. Happy wine tasting!