If you’re interested in wine, you might enjoy learning all the nuances of taste, aroma, and how it should be consumed. You might consider wine tasting a hobby or a way to enrich a dinner party.
Whatever your interest in wine, as with many things, there are etiquette guidelines for what makes up the proper behavior at a tasting.
Keep reading to learn about common wine-tasting etiquette mistakes so you can avoid making a scene.
1. Pouring Too Much Wine
This can lead to guests becoming inebriated, and can also waste wine. It is important to pour a small amount of wine into each glass and to resist the temptation to top off glasses.
It is important to pour a good amount of wine into each glass so that guests can enjoy the wine. You can always pour more if you need to.
2. Not Asking Questions
Wine tasting is all about drinking in the experience and enjoying the various flavor profiles that different wines have to offer. But, there are a few etiquette faux pas that can ruin the experience for both the taster and the host.
One of the most common mistakes is not asking questions about the wine. This can be frustrating for the host, who is trying to provide an educational experience. It can also deprive the taster of valuable information about the wine they’re drinking.
3. Wearing the Wrong Clothes
It’s important to wear the proper dress for a wine tasting so that you don’t stand out like a sore thumb. Some tips for what to wear to a wine tasting include avoiding strong perfumes or colognes, wearing dark colors so you don’t get stained, and avoiding anything too tight or revealing. If you’re unsure about what to wear, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and go for a more conservative look.
4. Ordering the Wrong Wine
This mistake can be avoided by doing a little research in advance. Find out from the best winery in Connecticut what types of wine are available and what will pair well with your meal.
You can also ask the sommelier for help in making your selection. Another mistake is not letting the wine breathe before tasting it. This can be remedied by decanting the wine or pouring it into a glass and letting it sit for a few minutes.
5. Don’t Talk Too Much
One mistake to avoid is talking too much. It can be difficult to avoid because you are usually in a group and everyone is making small talk. But, the more you talk, the more you risk missing out on subtle flavors and aromas in the wine.
It can be overwhelming for the person leading the tasting to have someone who is constantly talking. If you are interested in learning about wine, then make an effort to limit yourself to a few sentences at a time so that you can take everything in.
Avoid Wine-Tasting Etiquette Mistakes
If you’re new to wine tasting, learn the etiquette before you go. It will help you avoid making wine-tasting etiquette mistakes and stand out as a wine expert.
Use the proper gestures, pay attention to the etiquette of spitting and swirling, and know when to keep quiet. Following these simple etiquette rules will help you have a great time at your next wine-tasting event.
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