Wine Tasting Tips - Ask a Lot of Questions

Anyone new to wine tasting at the vineyard should take their time and ask a lot of questions according to this article from vintners in the Washington State winegrowing region of Walla Walla that is sometimes called the Napa Valley of the Northwest.

The point is to come to the wineries with an open mind for learning about the area, the winemakers and the wine itself. The experts say they want to share information with newcomers, welcome them and make them feel comfortable tasting wine.

An interesting case in point: The Walla Walla region is at the same latitude as Bordeaux, France the famous French region renown for its great wines. The belief is the more visitors understand about Walla Walla and taste their wines; the more visitors will return and bring their friends to enjoy.

They advise new wine tasters not to rush through the process and enjoy. Another tip is encouragement of "spitting and dumping" wine in your mouth. Most newcomers consider it wasteful and perhaps even rude, but in fact it is neither. They want you to taste many wines and after too many tastes with swallows, the quantity of wine you drink adds up and they want you to be responsible :-)