Don’t let inexperience keep you from enjoying the joys of wine tasting. If you aren’t a seasoned wine connoisseur, follow these tips to make the most of your experience.
Wines are usually offered in a particular order for a reason: The menu follows the growing depth of the wines. Trust your sommelier to know the wines they are serving and let them guide you, especially if there is something you don’t like.
Don’t be afraid to let your inexperience known; sommeliers enjoy sharing their knowledge and teaching people how to identify the various nuances and flavors. After all, that’s what they’re there for.
If the winery offers a charcuterie plate or snacks, go ahead and order something. Not only do meats and cheeses pair excellently with wines, it’s perfectly okay to take your time with your tasting and enjoy it.
If the winery doesn’t offer menu items, don’t be shy to ask for some chips or crackers. Wineries usually keep these behind the counter for guests to munch on during tastings. While the small amounts of wine you get with each glass may not seem like much, they add up quickly and can really creep up on you. Having some snacks to munch on keeps you from getting too inebriated so you can enjoy more wine without needing a nap.
When you get to the port or desert selections, don’t be afraid to ask for a piece of chocolate to enjoy with them. Chances are they have some just for this purpose. Ports pair nicely with a good dark chocolate and the combination changes the flavors in a wonderful way.
Read This Next
“Live Like a Local” Experiences
Top Trends
Dec 11, 2014#TrazeeTravel
Insta FeedHotel
Mar 27, 2024Earn a Free Night with BWH Hotels This Spring
Earn a free night with BWH Hotels this spring by being a member of its Best Western Rewards loyalty program. Through May 5, BWR members who stay two nights (do not need to be consecutive) at BWH Hotels properties in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean will earn one free night to be used for stays through Aug. 25. Register for the promotion prior to the completion of your first stay online or with the hotel directly. The awarded free night is eligible at any Best Western-branded hotel in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean, and members can only earn one free night via the promotion.
Sponsored Content
Experience Ireland’s
Wild Atlantic Way
From the windy tip of Malin Head in County Donegal to the colorful harbor town of Kinsale in County Cork, Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way amazes at every turn. Feel the blast of fresh sea air with a lighthouse walk. Get up close to history, grab a fireside seat at a traditional music session, experience the world-famous Irish hospitality and explore some of Ireland's most exhilarating coastal scenery. It is a place that inspired dreamers and travelers, poets and painters with a landscape filled with stone walls, thatched cottages, deserted beaches and breathtaking views. Charming towns and villages, 1,500 miles of soaring cliffs, incredible landscapes and unique experiences await.
Products / Technology
Mar 27, 2024Getting to the Airport Just Became Easier with FlyPool
A new service launched last month that may make your trip to and from the airport just a little easier and less costly. FlyPool is an online platform and app that facilitates carpooling, specifically to airports around the world.
Destinations / North America
Mar 26, 2024Car Enthusiasts Head to California for La Jolla Concours d’Elegance
Head to La Jolla, California, this April for the 18th Annual La Jolla Concours d’Elegance. The automotive and lifestyle festival offers car fanatics a variety of free and paid events. This year’s theme showcases the roaring 20s and glamorous 1930s. The event takes place April 19–21.
Sponsored Content
Your Home Away from Home in Dallas
Open spaces, open thinking and open expression thrive at Aloft Dallas Downtown.
Surveys
Mar 26, 2024Study Discovers Destinations Where Hotels are Cheaper Than Home Rentals
For the longest time, travelers touted home rentals as an affordable alternative to hotels. However, is that really the case? Do you really get more for your money when you book an Airbnb versus a hotel room?
ShareThis