One of the best methods of elevating your appreciation for wine is to attend a wine-tasting event. Wine tasting is a fun and informative activity, allowing participants to sample a wide variety of fine wines whilst learning about vinification, from the cultivation of grapes to the fermentation process. If you’re a wine enthusiast and you’ve not yet attended a wine-tasting event, here is your sign to grab a friend and book yourselves in at a local restaurant, wine cellar or vineyard for an evening of wine-related exuberance. Here are some top tips for a successful and enjoyable event. 

Don’t Attend On An Empty Stomach

Any event involving copious amounts of alcohol should always be approached with caution. Considering you may be ingesting large quantities of wine, you may want to line your stomach before attending your upcoming event. Although you’ll likely be offered canapés, crudites and other expertly-paired snacks for enjoying alongside the wine, small nibbles may not be substantial enough to stop the alcohol from taking effect. Ensure you stay hydrated and eat something beforehand, but avoid intense flavours, which may impact your enjoyment of the wine. 

Take Notes

It is all well and good to be regaled with wine-related information, but it will be of little use if you immediately forget everything you were told. Bring a small notepad and make notes throughout the evening. List the names and characteristics of wine varieties you enjoy and those you’d prefer to avoid in the future - this will help you improve your sommelier skills so you can make informed decisions regarding the wine you buy.

Ask Questions

Another fantastic way to increase your wine-related knowledge is to ask plenty of questions. Your host will be more than happy to answer any queries you may have regarding vinification processes, countries of origin and the characteristics of each wine you sample. Nobody expects you to arrive at an event as a fully-fledged expert. While asking questions may make you feel like a novice, getting to know the science behind the composition and complexity of wine can be a tremendously rewarding experience. 

Familiarise Yourself With Wine Jargon

Wine jargon can be profoundly off-putting for casual wine drinkers and budding enthusiasts - not to mention downright confusing. While the language of sommeliers may baffle you, the various words and phrases used to describe the characteristics of wine are essential tools. It may be worth familiarising yourself with some wine terminology, such as crisp, dry, fruit-forward and full-bodied, so you can easily describe the wines you like in detail. With enough practice and dedication, you’ll be able to identify and describe wines according to their appellation, from Côtes du Rhône to Barbaresco.

Don’t Swallow The Wine

When attending a wine-tasting event, it is vital to remember the five S’s - see, swirl, sniff, sip, and savour. However, there is a sixth S that may intimidate newcomers - spit. Watching others spit wine may turn your stomach, but it does have its advantages. Spitting after savouring helps participants pace themselves, as the sensory-dulling effects of alcohol can lead to a dampened experience of each wine variety. Fortunately, spitting isn’t a requirement, and many seasoned wine connoisseurs choose to forego this practice. 

Don’t Wear White

Wine-tasting events are invariably sophisticated affairs worthy of your best outfit. However, be warned - it may seem like an obvious suggestion, but if you’re attending an evening dedicated to wine, avoid wearing anything you don’t want to risk staining. Red wine stains can irreversibly ruin a white garment when left to “set” in place. If you’re determined to wear a pale-toned outfit, make sure you bring a pack of stain-remover wipes just to be on the safe side. 

Don’t Wear Strong Fragrance

Strong perfumes and fragrances can severely hinder your enjoyment of fine wine - this is because smell affects how the brain processes flavour, which is why you should always smell or “nose” wine before taking a sip. Perfumes, colognes, aftershaves and even hairspray can ruin everybody’s fun by interfering with delicate aromas, so avoid wearing harsh fragrances, not just for your own sake but as a courtesy to your fellow participants. 

The key requirement of attending a wine-tasting event is to have fun. Don’t take it too seriously - you will not be quizzed about your applied wine knowledge, so kick back and have a good time.