Wine Tour Chronicles: What to Expect at a Tasting Room
Wine tours are a stellar way to explore the world of wine, and many wineries have everything from small tastings to full-blown wine education excursions available. A tasting room is a perfect spot for a day or night out with friends or family, and it’s also one of the best places to learn more about wine.
Visiting a Tasting Room
The winery tasting room is where you’ll be greeted, shown around, and possibly even meet the winemakers. You’ll hear about the history of the winery, learn about how the wine is made, and taste the wines.
Wine tasting rooms are a great way to learn about wine. The winery staff will take you through their wine-making process, collections, and how they differ from other wineries. They’ll also let you sample different wines from their portfolio. Some wineries may offer snacks or finger foods to accompany the tasting.
Wineries may offer free samples or a charge for each glass poured. Some wineries may charge a small tasting fee that is waived if you purchase a bottle. Others will let you taste some wines for free. However, this depends on the winery and region.
If you are touring many wineries in a new area, it’s best to research ahead. Get a map of the region and plan your route. This will help you find your way around and know where each winery is located. Some wineries may also require reservations ahead of time. However, everything will be ready if you book one of our tours. You will receive a printed copy of your pre-planned itinerary. Most wine tours will start at the vineyard, so you can see the vines. Before heading to the tasting room, you will also go through the wine-making process in the winery.
Did You Know: In some very popular wine regions, winery tasting rooms book up months in advance. Be sure to do your research to know when if or when you should make your bookings.
How to Taste a Wine
Tasting wines can be an intimidating experience for someone who has never done it before. But try not to worry about looking out of place, many wineries will walk you through the process of how to taste wine.
However, if you want to impress your friends, you may want to prep ahead of time. Here are some tips on tasting like a pro at a wine tasting.
See
Take a look at the wine in your glass. It can be helpful to hold your glass against a white or light-colored background. Look for sediments, as well as the color of the wine. Wine comes in different colors and even changes as it ages.
Swirl
Swirl the wine in your glass. This helps “open up” the wine, releasing alcohol molecules that will help carry the aromas into your nose. The wine benefits greatly from swirling because the process aerates it and makes it easier to smell.
Smell
Aromas are a key aspect of wine tasting, so take several deep breaths before putting your nose in the glass. You’ll notice different scents depending on the wine you’re drinking. Check for any unusual scents. Aromas will vary depending on the type of wine, but it can be easiest to start by identifying any recognizable fruit aromas.
Sip
Taste the wine by swirling it around in your mouth, giving you an idea of what flavors are present. Sip slowly so that you can fully experience each sip before swallowing again. Don’t take big gulps — and pay attention to how it feels in your mouth when you swallow. Is it sweet? Is it dry? Is it acidic? Are there any lingering aftertastes? And what do those flavors feel like on your tongue?
Savor
When tasting wine, it’s helpful to remember that it’s not just about the flavor of the wine but also its aroma and texture. These aspects can be described as taste, body, and finish.
Wine tours are a great way to learn about wine, and the best place to interact with the wine is a tasting room. Here, you can decipher the wine’s history, winemaking, aromas, and characteristics.
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