Gluttons Club

As a wine guy, I've done a fair amount of wine tasting in wine countries around the world. It's a great way to taste new things, learn about the process and take up time during a relaxing vacation. For those of you out there who may be planning your first trip to a winery, I want to share my wisdom and help you have the best experience possible.

Visiting wineries can be exhausting if you don't do it right. You may end up too drunk to finish your day, too tired to appreciate the wines you encounter later in the day. However, if you plan right and follow a few simple guidelines, you can have a great time.

I put together the following list and then added some suggestions from my friends Allison and Jeremy who moonlight in the tasting room at Panther Creek winery in McMinnville, Oregon. This is Allison's parent's winery where they make some tasty Pinot Noir from the Willamette valley. If you'll be in that area, you should check them out.

Planning:

1. don't over-reach--you should leave yourself at least half an hour per winery but probably more like an hour if you want to taste slowly and fully appreciate the wines.
   
2. Consider driving time--I've been to wineries in Sonoma, NY, Central Coast California, Argentina, Chile and Napa and one thing (among many) that they have in common is distance between wineries. You'll spend a fair amount of time going from one stop to the next so factor that into you plans.
3. Give yourself breaks--whether for lunch, for a walk or for a beer, you'll want some time to relax, drink some water and refresh the palate.
4. Provide a buffer period between tasting and dinner. This will let your palate recover and make sure you can actually enjoy the meal.

Tasting room etiquette:

1. Fees: most wineries charge a tasting fee, if not for the basic tasting than at least for the premium wines. Pay the fee if you're at all interested in the wines and realize that often, if you buy a bottle of something from the premium list, the fee will be waived. So basically, if you have any inkling you may buy something, don't hesitate to go for the premium tasting.
   
2. Gently chat up the person pouring if they aren't too busy. From them, you can find out alot about the wines and the winery (beyond what they provide as part of the routine,) what other wineries in the area are worth visiting, where to go for a good meal and other useful information. If they are helpful, please tip them to show your appreciation.
   I've had pourers call ahead to other wineries to make appointments for me, call restaurants for reservations and pull the really good stuff out for a taste for free.
   
3. Show interest in wines you are actually interested in rather than just throw back what they offer. Once you make it clear that you're interested in the wine, not in drinking, you may get better treatment than you would otherwise. These people like wine and if they can share their passion with you, they're more likely to treat you right.
   
4. Don't get drunk. Remember, tasting doesn't necessarily mean drinking. Use the spit bucket to either spit the wine you're tasting or to empty your glass for the next wine. You don't need to drink every drop--no one will be insulted.
   

And now, for the perspective of the people behind the counter, thanks to Jer and Allison:

1. Don't wear perfume or cologne
2. Ask if a bucket is the spit bucket before you spit into it (if it's not obvious)
3. If you're too drunk to taste, don't bother the staff by going in and tasting
4. Kids are fine, but if you bring your kids make sure that you have things for them to do and keep your eye on them (don't let them wander around a dangerous winery)
5. This is dependent upon the person, but don't tell me your life story. I don't care.

Finally, a few words about getting it home:

1. The winery isn't interested in undercutting the retailers who sell their wines so their prices aren't better than what you pay at home in your local wine shop. Don't fee like you should buy their basic wine because you're there.
   
2. If you live in a state with a good wine market, be very selective about the wines you buy. If you can get it at your local wine store, there is no need to get it at the winery. Limit your purchases to those wines that don't get far beyond the tasting room. Ask for small production cuvees, limited edition or single vineyard bottlings that they only sell at the winery.
3. If you're lucky enough to have the wine shipped home, put together a case or more before you send anything. Ask where there may be a shipping center if the winery can't do it for you.
   
4. If not, put your purchases in a shipping box and check it as luggage when you fly home. Check with your airline regarding extra baggage fees and make your ship vs. check decision accordingly.
5. If you either live in the are or live in a free shipping state, inquire about wine clubs if you really like the wines. These give you a few bottles a few times a year and you get first dibs on some of the smaller production stuff.