You are on vacation or perhaps it is just your day off and you want to go to the winery. This is a great time to relax, kick back with your favorite beverage and enjoy yourself. In order to do that, you need to first be comfortable in the place and understanding the culture of the tasting room will help you to achieve maximum relaxation. Although many of my notes are from the perspective behind the bar, several are from what I have learned as a taster and as a club member. A winery can be a confusing place for a first timer and even for some who think they know what they are doing, here are some wine tasting room tips.
If you followed my tips from before, then you have arrived at your winery. The one that fits you and your personality and serves the style of wine you prefer (dry, sweet, etc). If you are at the winery to taste, then remember that you are here to...taste. Not to drink. Common misconception, I know, but wine tasting should be just that. Open yourself to trying new things. I can not tell you the number of times people come into a winery and declare loudly, so all can hear, "I don't drink whites!" Saying that in a room full of open minded people who are just there to enjoy themselves, makes you look silly and closed minded. Keep your voice down, be willing to try something new and feel free to use the dump bucket and move on to the next one.
Dump buckets are the unsung hero for tasters. It may seem unusual for a winery to provide for customers a vessel in which to spit or dump out wine not suitable to them. It is actually the opposite. By having a bucket available, it takes the pressure off of you, the taster, to drink something you don't enjoy. As long as you understand that the wine you dump is wine you already paid for, you won't hurt any one's feelings if you pour out. It shows you are a discerning person that is ready to move on to the next great thing on the list. (side note: Do not expect your server to pour out for you unless the bar is crowded. Servers will not pour out your wine unless requested. If you do require this extra help, remember that when leaving a tip.)
If the tip I gave before about tasting and not drinking has had time to sink in a bit, let's discuss what to taste. You have already chosen a winery you like, so why not them them decide what also goes into your glass? Many smaller wineries have limited tasting menus and will charge one fee for 4-6 tastings. Some of the larger establishments will offer a wide variety of wines on a list of twenty or more and then have you select from that list 5 or 6 you wish to try. In this scenario, I always revert to the experts; the servers. Let them know what you like and let them drive. Servers, for the most part, will enjoy taking you on the journey of their favorites and will help strengthen the bond between you and them. The stronger this bond, the better stuff you will end up tasting. If you seem disinterested, prepare to use the bucket, but if you listen to their advice you will usually find yourself with a glass of goodness.
To avoid tension, when you walk in, be prepared to pay up front for what you are going to taste. Do not think you will wait until the end and if everything is to your liking, then you will pay. Pay up front and, yes, most places will except plastic. However, keep some cash in your pocket. The tasting fee does not include a tip. I know, no one likes someone else to tell them how to tip, but I will. Average tasting fee: $10-15. Average tip per customer: $4. Let's go ahead and not make ourselves look cheap and go for $5. I don't taste anywhere that I don't expect to tip. The servers count on it as part of their pay and if they are knowledgeable and friendly, offer you great service and advice, let them know by laying it down. They will appreciate it and you will feel better knowing you did the right thing.
Cheers!
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