When you live in Wine World, you really need to know your wine tasting etiquette. Not only will it make it more fun, but you will avoid looking like an idiot.
When we first started going to tastings, I was always a bit irritated because they would pour a generous half glass of wine, just so we could have one or two sips and then pour it out. Even those sips were often spit out (the one case when it is perfectly polite to spit). Such a waste. So when they were pouring, I used to say, "Just a drop please!" Which was duly ignored.
Now I know: in order to get the true nose of the wine (the aromas), you need a good pour. You also need to judge the "legs", the way the wine falls down the glass after it's swirled. So to really experience the wine, you must start with a decent pour.
And even if the wine is delicious, you don't drink your whole glass at a tasting. You might taste a number of wines, and trust me, a sip here and a sip there can sneak up on you. The point is to taste, not to wobble.
So, If you want to show of bit of class, follow these rules of wine etiquette:
–You may be asked about what you'd like to taste. It's good to discuss your budget in general terms, and tell them what kind of wine you like.
–After the wine is poured, hold it up to the light and look at the color. Look thoughtful. Tilt it, so you can see the "legs".
–As noted, it's okay, and expected, to spit. There will be un crachoir there for that purpose. The experts will spit, but it's perfectly okay to swallow a few small sips if you prefer.
–Now, swirl the wine around in your glass, in tight circles but quite vigorously. This is to aerate it.
–Tilt the glass toward you, put your entire nose in the glass, and take a deep sniff (the poster above illustrates it quite well), as does monsieur the sommelier). You may want to comment on all the many smells you can identify. Or you may want to just nod your head, and give a noncommittal "umm".
–Take a sip and swish it around, puffing out your cheeks. Don't worry about looking like a fool, because everyone else will too. Swallow or spit. Contemplate. Here you may wish to show off your wine wisdom and pontificate on the many flavors you have identified. But a simple "I like it" or "it's nice" is also acceptable. And if you don't like it, politely move on to the next one.
–Then you pour the wine out, and wait for the next pour. Take notes, if there are several wines, to remind yourself what you want to buy.
–Sometimes you pay for tastings, but usually not. Especially If you don't, it's polite to buy some wine, if only a bottle. I asked Ron for guidelines here. He says: "it's always nice to buy a couple of bottles at least, but especially if it's a mom and pop operation, and they've stopped working to offer you a tasting." Or as our friend Paul says, "This is a 'tasting', not a free happy hour." So true. These folks are running a business.
The many things you can SAY about the wine, after you sip it, if you want to strut your stuff–identifying flavors, fruits, minerality, etc.– is a long tome, for another day!
In the Comments: Patty, be glad you're not here, we've just been (more) seriously locked down for a month. Jane, I like your personal delivery service. Francine, hope to meet you in September, and thanks for the nice words about my book. Natalia, a zoom tasting is a good idea, have not heard of those but why not. Tom, what a fun event for your area, I like that idea. Good luck stocking that cave!
Favorite READS: I went looking for French wine-related novels, and discovered there is a Winemaker's Detective Series, translated from the French. One is called Red-handed in Romanée-Conti, set in Burgundy. Haven't read it, but it's going on this wine-lover's list. Natalia recommends The Paris Library. Great reviews and I'm putting that one on hold at my library right away.
24 thoughts on “French Wine Tasting For Dummies”
Good post! Actually there are many online wine tastings going on, especially on Instagram.
Good post! Actually there are many online wine tastings going on, especially on Instagram.
Good post! Actually there are many online wine tastings going on, especially on Instagram.
You always start with the lightest wine first, so even though you might prefer a more robust wine try a lighter one first.
You never know, you might be surprised.
You always start with the lightest wine first, so even though you might prefer a more robust wine try a lighter one first.
You never know, you might be surprised.
You always start with the lightest wine first, so even though you might prefer a more robust wine try a lighter one first.
You never know, you might be surprised.
I have looked at the book and there is another one called Nightmare in Burgundy centred around Beaune.
I have looked at the book and there is another one called Nightmare in Burgundy centred around Beaune.
I have looked at the book and there is another one called Nightmare in Burgundy centred around Beaune.
Great report! Very thorough as everything you do! The Alliance Francaise of Portland is doing several wine tastings virtually sometimes along with my regional cooking classes! Thanks for educating everyone not familiar with wine tastings in France!!
Great report! Very thorough as everything you do! The Alliance Francaise of Portland is doing several wine tastings virtually sometimes along with my regional cooking classes! Thanks for educating everyone not familiar with wine tastings in France!!
Great report! Very thorough as everything you do! The Alliance Francaise of Portland is doing several wine tastings virtually sometimes along with my regional cooking classes! Thanks for educating everyone not familiar with wine tastings in France!!
Lynn, this post(as are all of your posts!!) is just a wealth of help and information.(Thank You!)I especially liked your suggestion about buying a bottle or two because it is a wine tasting and not a free happy hour.Particularly in light of helping the mom and pop (or whoever)is putting it on.During these challenging times you have hit on a really worthwhile suggestion.
Was dismayed to learn of your serious lockdown.
At this point can only hope things will get back to normal again– and tighten our resolve till they do.
Lynn, this post(as are all of your posts!!) is just a wealth of help and information.(Thank You!)I especially liked your suggestion about buying a bottle or two because it is a wine tasting and not a free happy hour.Particularly in light of helping the mom and pop (or whoever)is putting it on.During these challenging times you have hit on a really worthwhile suggestion.
Was dismayed to learn of your serious lockdown.
At this point can only hope things will get back to normal again– and tighten our resolve till they do.
Lynn, this post(as are all of your posts!!) is just a wealth of help and information.(Thank You!)I especially liked your suggestion about buying a bottle or two because it is a wine tasting and not a free happy hour.Particularly in light of helping the mom and pop (or whoever)is putting it on.During these challenging times you have hit on a really worthwhile suggestion.
Was dismayed to learn of your serious lockdown.
At this point can only hope things will get back to normal again– and tighten our resolve till they do.
Oh, what we have learned in 20 years! But are you not in the region now of paying degustations?
Certainly in the Cote Challonaise or Macconaise or even Beaujolais? Gosh, having been gone for a couple of years, maybe one has to pay there now? Though I have always loved the differences in all the regions and sizes of the viticultures. Hope you can enjoy them all soon!
Oh, what we have learned in 20 years! But are you not in the region now of paying degustations?
Certainly in the Cote Challonaise or Macconaise or even Beaujolais? Gosh, having been gone for a couple of years, maybe one has to pay there now? Though I have always loved the differences in all the regions and sizes of the viticultures. Hope you can enjoy them all soon!
Oh, what we have learned in 20 years! But are you not in the region now of paying degustations?
Certainly in the Cote Challonaise or Macconaise or even Beaujolais? Gosh, having been gone for a couple of years, maybe one has to pay there now? Though I have always loved the differences in all the regions and sizes of the viticultures. Hope you can enjoy them all soon!
I always enjoy your posts. I particularly enjoyed this one as I have attended wine tastings. A good reminder to buy a couple of bottles. Thank you.
Sandra
I always enjoy your posts. I particularly enjoyed this one as I have attended wine tastings. A good reminder to buy a couple of bottles. Thank you.
Sandra
I always enjoy your posts. I particularly enjoyed this one as I have attended wine tastings. A good reminder to buy a couple of bottles. Thank you.
Sandra
Great post! It was spot on with what my husband and I learned at our first wine tasting in France several years ago. The sommelier was very patient and kind. I recommend the book “Into Wine” by Olivier Magny. It’s a fun, interesting, and informative read. You’ll learn about wine from the ground up! It’s a great read even if you already know about how wine is produced.
Great post! It was spot on with what my husband and I learned at our first wine tasting in France several years ago. The sommelier was very patient and kind. I recommend the book “Into Wine” by Olivier Magny. It’s a fun, interesting, and informative read. You’ll learn about wine from the ground up! It’s a great read even if you already know about how wine is produced.
Great post! It was spot on with what my husband and I learned at our first wine tasting in France several years ago. The sommelier was very patient and kind. I recommend the book “Into Wine” by Olivier Magny. It’s a fun, interesting, and informative read. You’ll learn about wine from the ground up! It’s a great read even if you already know about how wine is produced.