Don’t know your grapes from your grapefruits? No worries, friend.

Let’s be real, most people aren’t oenophiles (there’s that word again). Some of us can barely pronounce “Pinot Noir” without feeling like a fraud, let alone remember every wine region and flavor note.

So don’t be afraid to speak up if something’s puzzling you. The friendly members of the Sierra Vista team are happy to quench your curiosity by answering any questions you might have.

“Will I get tipsy during the tasting?”

“What cheese would you pair this wine with?”

“What temperature do you recommend serving this wine?”

“How do I join the Wine Club?”

“And just what in the heck is an oenophile?”

You don’t have to be a wine wizard to enjoy a vineyard tour and wine tasting experience – but remembering all the details about multiple wines can be tough.

No worries! It’s common practice to ask for a pen and paper (or use your phone!) to jot down your thoughts as you go.

It’s totally up to you what to write – whether you feel like one sip evokes visions of “crisp raspberries glistening under a spring dawn,” or if a different sip inspires a tart, “Yowsa!” The purpose is to help you remember what you enjoyed and why.

Don’t worry about sounding silly – these notes are just for you! Go ahead and write down whatever comes to mind, so you can capture every delicious detail of your wine tasting experience.

Improve your wine tasting experience by holding your glass by the stem. Why? Well, this simple action preserves the wine’s temperature.

By avoiding touching the bowl of the glass, you prevent your body heat from increasing the temperature of the wine too quickly. This helps to maintain the wine’s flavor and quality, making every sip more enjoyable.

You’ll want to observe the various hues and shades of your wine as you taste it, and holding the glass by the stem gives you an unobstructed view.

 Which brings us to the next point…

There’s an age-old question that looms over every wine tasting – after your sip, do you spit out the wine? Or do you swallow it?

While spitting out your wine was originally a way to keep your wits about you during a lengthy tasting, times have changed. Most establishments now offer smaller portions, making it unlikely that you’ll overindulge.

Still, while intimate winery rooms might encourage sipping, larger events will likely have more spitters, as it helps maintain stamina and the ability to appreciate each wine.

So, what’s the answer then? Should you swallow your wine, and enjoy it to the fullest, or spit it out?

The good news is that it’s entirely up to you!

But if you’re gonna spit…

Spitting wine is a common part of any wine tasting, which is why there are often spit buckets, or “spittoons,” conveniently at hand.

But if you’re hesitant to use a spit bucket in public, don’t worry. With a little practice, you can confidently spit like a pro during your next wine tour.

To perfect your wine-spitting technique, purse your lips and aim for a narrow, confident stream. Careful! Loose lips and weak spit can lead to the dreaded “wine dribble,” which can lead to some awkward looks – so technique is key!

Have fun spitting!