Visiting Sonoma - A Little Tasting Etiquette

Wine tasting is easy. You pay a few bucks and get to taste a few of the wines from a particular winery. I think it's pretty easy to know how to act, but people often forget.

image from sonomamag.com

It's not a bar

You'd really be surprised how many people treat it as a place to drink rather than a tasting experience where you sample then buy something if it's to your liking. Tasting rooms are limited as to the total amount of wine they can pour for you and how big of a taste they can pour. So don't ask them to fill up the glass a little more. Don't ask to retry each wine two times. It's impolite to chat and ignore the wine server. You can do that in a bar, but remember, this isn't a bar.

It's not a restaurant

Some have picnic areas and allow you to bring food along with non-alcoholic beverages. It is not okay to bring outside alcohol to consume on a winery's grounds. It's not okay to eat your lunch at the tasting bar.

Asking to try other wines

If you're serious about purchasing they'll often do it. If you're just looking for more alcohol it's not especially if you go straight to their most expensive wine. FYI, you're more likely to get an extra bottle open if it's the busy season and it's a Friday or Saturday. If it's a Tuesday in January not so likely. Why? The server has to ask themselves how likely they are to sell more of that wine before it goes bad.

It's okay to not like every wine

If you don't like a certain wine that's okay. You can let them know or not. If you suspect something might be wrong with the wine ask them to try it. If you don't want to sample their chardonnay because you hate chardonnay go ahead and try it anyway. You might actually find one you like. If not, you can dump it out.

Ask questions

It's just fine to not know much about wine. If you have a question, but think it might be stupid, it's not. The only thing to remember if it's a really busy tasting room don't take up a server's time with more than one question if there are other people waiting. Asking questions is how you learn.

Check before showing up

First, be sure the tasting room doesn't require reservations. If you're coming with a large group, a picnic, children or a dog be sure it's okay! If you'll be coming near the end of their day ask when the last tasting happens. That is, if a winery closes at five o'clock that doesn't necessarily mean you can come in at 4:55 pm and expect a tasting. Some places will do it, some won't. Don't be disappointed. And don't be a dufus and complain because they don't want to stay late just for you.

When in doubt

Think of restaurant etiquette.

Enjoy yourself, learn, bring some wine home!