7. Keep it simple. If you engage the vendor or winemaker in conversation, remember that there are still others behind you who want to try the wine. If you inquire about the product, ask simple and easy to answer questions. If you really want to know when the harvest dates were for last 10 years, what percentage of new French oak barrels were used for each vintage and what pruning methodologies were employed -- ask for a business card and look it up online. In the technological age, wineries almost always post all of the geeky goodies.

8. Don't show off. Nothing spoils the mood more than someone who tries to sound cool and impress people. Everyone should be there to have a good time, not to see who knows the most or has been to which exotic vineyard. Relax, share stories that others will be able to relate to and whatever you do, never try to show up a winemaker. It will make them dislike you instantly (they stand in front of thousands of people just like you every year) and it will guarantee you won't get the phone number of the cute girl standing next to you.

9. Learn to juggle. Shuffling food and wine is a tricky proposition. When I go to tastings, it's for education and sampling. I spit every drop and eat beforehand, so I don't have to worry about juggling a wine glass and a plate of food. I'm the odd one, though, and most of the time, to add to the enjoyment, cheese and crackers and other assorted goodies are available. On the rare occasion that I do eat at a tasting, I have found that grasping the base of the wine glass allows me to hold the plate up against the stem on top of the base in the same hand. I have seen some extra smart people bring their own little clip-on wine glass holders. These people are obviously way brighter than me, and have fewer stains on their clothes when they leave. The two examples pictured above may be had on a variety of online sites.

10. Act tastefully. Depending on what your goal is for the tasting, be it calculated education or relaxed enjoyment, there are methods to prolong the ability of the taste buds. Starting with white is always a good bet -- sparkling wine, even better. For whites, start with lighter, high acid whites and move toward the bigger, rounder-fruit white wines. After you make the switch to red, use the same principle -- start with light pinots and such then move toward big, bad cabs. You will begin to determine how many total wines you can handle without losing your entire palate. As you progress, there are some cheats you can employ to go the extra mile. If your tongue can't stand another big oak and tannin red, go back to some dry sparkling for two or three tastes. The bubbles sting your tongue a bit, but it will thrash your dulled palate back to life for another short stint.

The most important key to enjoy a large tasting? As with all things wine related -- just relax and have a good time. These events are a great chance to taste many different wines next to each other. They are also a terrific way to meet people who share an affinity for wine. Lots of dinner groups and friends have begun as a result of meeting at tastings.

Wein Bauer Tasting highlights:

Available now (All prices approximate retail)
Values:

• 2007 Wolfgang Selbach Bauer Haus Riesling Spätlese, Mosel, Germany $10
• 2007 Schlink Haus Riesling Kabinett, Nahe, Germany $12

Special Order (Not in retail stores yet -- but any good shop will order them for you)

Values:

• 2007 Nittnaus Sauvignon Blanc, Burgenland, Austria $15

• 2006 Lehmen Hochgewächs Riesling Trocken, Mosel, Germany $16
• 2006 Lehman Hochgewächs Riesling Halbtrocken, Mosel, Germany $16
• 2007 Nittnaus Zweigelt Heideboden-Nittnaus, Burgenland, Austria $16


Premium:

• 2006 Jutschitsch Riesling Zobinger, Kamptal, Austria $33

• 2006 Jurtschisch Grüner Veltliner Dechant Alte Reben, Kamptal, Austria $37

• 2006 Jurtschisch Grüner Veltliner Schenkenbichl-Jurtschisch, Kamptal, Austria $45