Making the Most of Your Wine Tasting Experience
Imagine searching through the majestic California AVAs for the perfect wine to complement your favorite dish or serve as a relaxing end-of-day pour. At AJA Vineyards, we want to help you make the most of your wine tasting experience. Here are some tips to prepare.
Do Some Research
First, spend some time thinking about which wines you prefer. Do you favor light, mineral whites, or do you go for more robust reds? Knowing which styles you like will help you choose which wineries to visit.
Consider the atmosphere you find most appealing. Do you want a tasting host, or just a glass? Maybe a picnic or live music, or maybe a sleek, sultry location that oozes romance? Experts recommend limiting your tasting stops to three or four in a day, so choosing the right winery is paramount. Read reviews, get recommendations from friends, or find something local to where you’re staying.
Once you have selected your wineries, check to see if they take reservations. While many tasting rooms accept walk-ins, it is wise to secure your spot, especially during the busy season from June through October. Similar to restaurants, most wineries require a reservation for large groups of six or more.
Finally, make sure you have a hearty breakfast or lunch before your trip, and be sure to snack throughout the day.
Dress for Success
Temperatures in California can vary throughout the day, from cool mornings to hot afternoons to cold evenings, so it’s important to dress in layers. If you’re planning to tour the vineyards during your visit, closed-toe shoes are preferable. Also, please wear comfortable shoes, no high heels.
Avoid wearing lipstick, since it may affect the taste of the wine and leave residue on the glasses. Perfumes and colognes should also be avoided, since they can interfere with the taste of your wine selections and affect the experience of visitors around you. Much of what we perceive as taste actually comes from smell, so it’s wise to stay away from breath mints and chewing gum too.
The Tasting Experience
When you enter the tasting room, you’ll be greeted by a host who will explain which wines are available and the associated tasting fees. Don’t be afraid to say you’re a beginner, the tasting room staff will be eager to share their knowledge with you.
Keep your mind open to suggestions. You’ll be able to choose from several wine tasting flights, small samples of wine, 2 to 3 ounces per glass, presented together for comparison. Wines are tasted from lightest to fullest, with whites and rosés generally at the start and heavy reds at the end. If there’s a dessert wine option, that comes last. It’s perfectly fine to skip any wine on the tasting list.
You never have to finish the wine in your glass. Any excess, or wine you’d rather not drink, can be emptied into the dump bucket. Spitting is actually recommended while tasting, since it keeps your senses sharp by avoiding intoxication.
Most importantly, swish the wine in your mouth so you can savor all its flavors. After tasting, take notes on what you like and dislike, and consider taking a bottle of your favorite home with you.
How Does Wine Tasting Work?
Wine tasting involves using all five senses, and five easy-to-remember words that begin with the letter “S” can help you get the most from your tasting experience. As you explore each glass of wine, follow these steps, known as the Five S’s.
- See: note any sediment or gas as you study the wine’s color and viscosity. Holding the glass against a white backdrop, look at the color to help judge the wine’s age and variety, white wines darken with age, while reds become paler and more rust-toned.
- Swirl: oxygenating the wine releases the grape’s aroma compounds and can hint at sugar and alcohol content.
- Sniff: lean in for specific aromas that reveal the wine’s essence. Primary scents like fruit and flowers usually come first, while secondary aromas from fermentation, like oak or yeast, may follow. Any faults, like cork taint or oxidation, also show up here.
- Sip: let the wine cover your palate and note specific flavors and sensations: sweetness versus dryness, weight, tannin, and acidity.
- Savor: consider the wine’s finish after you swallow. A long finish often signals a high-quality wine, this is the moment to decide, simply, whether you like it.
How Long Do Wine Tastings Usually Last?
Whether you visit a winery in person or book a virtual tasting with friends, the time investment depends on the range of wines poured and how engaged the group is. The average tasting runs anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour and a half.
How to Hold the Glass
Hold your glass by the lower stem using your thumb, index finger, and middle finger. This keeps your body heat from warming the wine and minimizes smudges on the glass. Tilting the glass slightly as you drink lets the wine breathe.
Do I Have to Purchase a Bottle of Wine?
When you reserve a virtual tasting with us, we connect you with our proprietor and certified sommelier to walk through our varietals, schedule your session, and arrange payment for anything you’d like to purchase, along with an introduction to our wine club.
When you join us at the tasting room, you’re welcome to enjoy a flight of our wines, and if you enjoy them, take a bottle home.
Have Fun, But Be Respectful
When tasting in the tasting room, try not to be too loud or make negative comments about the wines, you never know if the person next to you loves it. Drink plenty of water throughout the day so you don’t overindulge, this is a tasting, not a bar hop. A palate-cleansing charcuterie plate alongside your flight can also help slow alcohol absorption.
Above all, keep an open mind. Don’t be afraid to try new wines or revisit ones you passed on before, you may be pleasantly surprised. Embrace the adventure and enjoy your day.
Visit our tasting room page to learn more about the tasting options available at our Santa Monica Tasting Room.
Cheers,
Jordan Perrotti