About Wine Tasting
In California

If you've never gone wine tasting in California, you may be wondering what to expect. (If this isn't you, skip ahead to tasting tips ).

It can even be a little intimidating because you might be afraid of looking like a fool or unsophisticated or something. The first time I went wine tasting in Napa years ago, I just couldn't believe that if I went up to the tasting bar, they would pour wine samples for free!

Well, now it's more like 10 bucks to taste wine and if you're lucky, you get to keep the glass. But that's not always the case, and at lesser known wineries in lesser known regions, the tasting fee may be less or nonexistant.

But suppose money is no object and you really want to learn about different wine varietals and have your palate experience new and exciting sensations.

Just step right up to the bar, ask the nice person "What are you pouring today?" and they'll be happy to tell you. Usually, all you need to do is go up to the bar, peruse one of the sheets of paper lying there to see the (usually 6) wines they are pouring and soon enough the wine pourer will bring you a glass with your first sample. Sometimes you get a choice of 6 out of 12, or maybe 4 out of 20, and they'll ask what you want to taste first.

Generally, the order the wines are listed in are the same way you want to taste them: dry before sweet and white before red.

For more wine tasting tips, click here.

You'll find some tasting rooms are friendlier than others. Some you'll walk into will be full of laughter and fun (generally right around 4 or 5 o'clock, right before closing), while others will be quieter, emptier. Sometimes you can chat with the wine pourer (maybe even the winemaker) and find out all about the current vintage, the winery, the area and more. Other times, you can meet fellow wine tasters from all parts of the country.

During or after tasting the wine, stroll around the room, which is usually also the gift shop, and then out onto the grounds, taking in the scents, the vineyard scenery and maybe even a game of bocci ball.

Wine tasting in California can be a fabulous way to spend the weekend, but remember:

• try to limit yourself to no more than 3 wineries a day,
• hire a wine tasting limo,
• come with a designated driver,
• split a tasting with your friend,

and/or
• taste and spit as the pros do.

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