Avoiding Palate Fatigue

Palate Fatigue is when you've overindulged. It's not about becoming intoxicated; rather, it's physical and mental exhaustion. You've worn out your taste buds, and can no longer tell the difference between wines. The fatigue stems from physical from sensory saturation and the mental strain of concentrating on the various smells and tastes. Yes, wine tasting is hard work!

 

It's not just wine. 
Imagine tasting a dozen Double IPAs back-to-back.
I know, I'm imagining it too, and it does sound pretty good. :)

 

Tasting too many wines too quickly increased the likelihood of palate fatigue. Tannic wines, like young Cabernet or Syrah, can hasten fatigue. Some people are more susceptible than others. 

A beer tasting, whisky tasting, or too many foods, can also give you palate fatigue.
 

How can you lessen the chance of palate fatigue? 

 Hydration
Drink lots of water before and during the tasting. Tannins and alcohol will dry you out, and once you get to that point, it's difficult to recover. It's best to never get dried out in the first place. Staying hydrated from the start is crucial; without proper hydration, none of the other tips will be as effective. 

 Spitting
You are not always in a situation where you can spit the wine rather than swallowing, but doing so will lessen the risk of palate fatigue. Professional judges spit for this reason and to avoid getting intoxicated. There's no better way for a judge to not get invited to future tastings than to get drunk on the job!

 Sparkling wines
Bubblies can clean and refresh your palate. Since you're consuming more alcohol, you may want to spit rather than swallow. Look for a reasonably priced wine that's not too acidic or sweet. This is a great refresher between wines you want to taste. Just swish it around and spit. Neutral still wines (not acidic or sweet) will also work.

 Snacks
Like with using neutral wines between tastings, you can use neutral foods to cleanse the palate. Low salt or unsalted crackers, and bland bread is best. You can use a mild cheese, but I would have a cracker or bread after the cheese, as cheeses will change your perception of a wine. 

Following these tips will help you to enjoy your tasting experience.