|
If you're into wine (and
you're reading this so I assume you are), then
visiting Wine Country to taste and tour at your
favorite wineries and vineyards is a must.
Whether you're planning a week-long dream wine
vacation in Napa or Bordeaux or visiting a
local winery with friends over the weekend,
remember our tips and tricks to make the
most of your visit!
Wine Country Travel Tip
#1: Make the Map Your
Friend
In your mind,
all the wineries in Sonoma may be close
together but you may discover when you get
there that they're quite spread out. It's
a good idea to visit wineries that are grouped
together rather than choosing ones
that are miles and miles apart because
you'll spend more time driving than
tasting.
Wine
Country Travel Tip #2: Proper Pacing
is Key!
Sure, maybe
you only have one day to hit all
the wineries you've wanted to visit for
years but trying to see 10 in one day is a bad
idea. You'll be too rushed to really enjoy
each winery, and after a certain point your
palate will be numb and all the wines will
taste the same anyway. We recommend a limit of
four per day.
Wine Country Travel Tip
#3: Variety IS the Spice of
Life
This tip works
on a few different levels. Tours are a great
way to get a more in-depth experience but you
probably don't want a
tour at each winery you visit. Mix
one winery tour per day with a few tasting
visits, and combine wineries with
different specialties and styles, such
as sparkling / still, red / white, and big
/ subtle.
Wine
Country Travel Tip #4: Know Your
Tasting Room
Etiquette
- Tasting Fees: In areas that got a
lot of visitors, most wineries will
charge a tasting fee. Often this is credited
back on a purchase. It is completely
fine to share a tasting with another guest
in your group.
- Swirling & Sniffing: The point
of wine tasting versus just buying a glass of
wine at a bar is to try and appreciate it.
Swirling, sniffing, and slowly slipping versus
pounding will let you savor more of the
wine.
- Spitting: In the
wine industry, tasters spit
since they have to do so much
tasting. If you're tasting in
moderation, it's totally OK to drink it. Use
the spitoon to pour out any wine you don't want
to finish.
- Make Room
for Others: If it's crowded, don't
monopolize the pouring area. When each wine is
poured, move away to so other guests can get
in, and go back when you're ready for the next
wine.
- Water
& Crackers: Most tasting rooms will
have water and bread or crackers to cleanse
your palate between wines. You can also use the
water to rinse your glass. We also recommend
drinking and having a little nibble as you
go to stay hydrated and
happy.
>back to Wine Blog
Home
|
Digg
Delicious
Google Bookmarks
Yahoo My Web