Today's topic is tasting etiquette.

Yes, there is such a thing as tasting etiquette.

Don't worry, I'm not referring to raised pinky fingers or dainty, thin-lipped sips from a glass that are designed to give the perfect impression. We're trying to eliminate the snobbery from wine, remember?

What I'm talking about is the crowd interaction at large-scale wine tastings. The kind of tasting where there are hundreds of open bottles of wine poured by vendors or winemakers and people everywhere waiting in line for a taste. With some big Milwaukee tastings around the corner, I thought this would be an appropriate topic.

The most recent tasting I attended was sponsored by local company Badger Liquor and featured the German and Austrian wines imported by Wein Bauer (no relation -- just good wine). It was a nice little tasting, thanks particularly to my invite from well known Milwaukee wine woman, Kim Fisher. (At the bottom of the column, I've included a list of gems from the tasting you really should check out.)

If you have never been to one of these large format tastings, they are most often open to the public in the form of charity events or festivals. Several great events in Milwaukee every year include the Arthritis Foundation Tasting, the Milwaukee Wine Festival and the Lombardi Food & Wine Experience.

Even if you have experience with large tastings, these 10 guidelines will help you enjoy yourself even more. They will also significantly decrease the likelihood of such mishaps as having wine spilled on you (happened to me twice -- once by the winemaker from Beringer) or making a fool of yourself in front of your girlfriend or boss.

1. Plan ahead. Remember that any time alcohol is involved, judgment is impaired. Lots of wine is poured at big events and if you are planning on enjoying plenty of it, make sure you have arranged for proper transportation.

2. Fashion sense. Whatever you do -- DON'T WEAR WHITE.

3. Spit it out. There are spit buckets on the tables for a reason. You don't have to drink all the wine that's poured. Most of the time, the bottles will have portion control spouts to limit the quantity poured to an ounce or less. But often enough you will get a larger pour. If that's the case, you can taste a small portion and pour the rest in the bucket.


4. Not just for men. Ladies, you expect it from men, but in the wine world, it is not unladylike or gauche to spit into the bucket. The buckets are big and all you need to do is position your head just above the opening and aim toward the sides of the bucket so you don't splash all over yourself or your neighbor. When I go to industry tastings (read: professional cork dorks everywhere) you seldom see anyone who doesn't spit.

5. Look around. Always be aware of your surroundings. There are times when you will be shoulder to shoulder with a lot of people all carrying wine glasses. Back up or turn around without looking at your own risk.

6. Keep the line moving. Believe it or not, there is a method for wiggling in for a taste pour. Unfortunately, not everyone abides by No. 5. When there are lines of people waiting to get a sample, ideally everyone moves in a rotation. If everyone forms an orderly line in front of the wine selections, the front two or three are able to receive a taste and should then move toward the right or left (whichever side has the spit bucket). This allows the next in line to receive a taste and so on. Typically, even a very busy table will have no more than eight people or so waiting, thus allowing everyone to rotate through again.

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5 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review.

Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by ocassiuso on May 1, 2009 at 2:54 p.m. (report)

Missing very important points. First, do NOT wear perfume, cologne or strong scents to a tasting. If we can't smell, we can't taste. Second, don't block the spittoon, or else. Don't repeatedly rinse your glass with water. Pourer may offer to give you a little rinse with the wine you're about to taste, which is better. But take an occasional break to drink some water.

Posted by johne on May 1, 2009 at 8:12 a.m. (report)

Nate great article. There is one thing I would add for non-professionals. Please try something new at these large format wine tastings. The world of wine is varied and for us in the industry one of the most frustrating phrases we hear is "I love this wine can I have some." All we ask is you try new wines and expand your palates, if you don't enjoy the wine you won't hurt anybody's feelings by using the dump/spit bucket. Also please don't ask us to fill your glass this is a TASTING not a DRINKING.

Posted by brunocarlson on May 1, 2009 at 7:33 a.m. (report)

Those clips are a novel idea. I am sure that they would benefit even a party at home. Another "wish I thought of that" idea.

Posted by LegallyBlonde on April 30, 2009 at 5:49 p.m. (report)

Didn't really know about the spitting. I like it. This is a great column.

Posted by boozehound on April 30, 2009 at 5:31 p.m. (report)

spit it out? jeez. that aint for me. i'm a milwaukee man. no booze wasted