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WINE TASTING PREPARATIONS

WINE TASTING PREPARATION

Wine tasting in Napa Valley or Sonoma can be an exciting and pleasurable experience. Always remember that you are guests at the winery and sharing the space with other wine tasters looking for that great bottle of wine. The host should be on point, they charge a fee for your visit. There are around one thousand wineries between Napa and Sonoma, pick your places well and you are assured an amazing day. The wines produced are some of the best in the world, your wine tastings should reflect that. Prepare your path or let Master Wine Tours assist in the planning. For someone new to wine tasting or maybe a veteran who could use a refresher to the wine tour preparations, to get the very best out of your wine tour, here are a few tips on the preparations to create the ultimate wine country experience.

PLAN YOUR WINE TOUR!

It is always good to plan your day. Many wineries require appointments and considering the size of your group, there will be different paths to take. It can be very problematic to get through a day without a plan and will distract and detract from your experience. Spend some time to lay out your day of wine tasting and you will be a very happy wine lover. … or work with your guide, tell them your interests and let them assist in the wine tour.

EAT AND THEN DRINK AND BE MERRY!

Those little sips add up so it is best to enjoy an ample awesome wine country breakfast before departing on your wine tour. Both Napa Valley and Sonoma are also famous for restaurants and know how to prepare that morning meal. Take that advantage and you will appreciate that you did.
Note: Try to not consume foods that will dominate your taste buds. Foods like chocolate, coffee, candy can lay on the palate and manipulate your taste and perception.

ALWAYS HYDRATE!

To keep your sense as sharp as they can be, always good to drink water in before, after and in between your wine tastings. It will improve the oxygen in the blood and keep you cool in the heat of wine country. Every palate could use a good cleansing especially after tasting wines back to back – good rule of thumb is to drink at least as much water as wine. Make sure you pack plenty of water with you and hydrate on demand.

LAYER UP!

Dress in layers. Napa Valley and Sonoma can be cool then hot or vice versa. The coastal cool and fog of Napa Valley and Sonoma can burn off mid-day leaving you uncool. Temperatures can regularly change from morning, mid-day and night – artwork of the Mediterranean engine for growing perfect wine grapes. Your layers can peel off like the weather of wine country for a perfect you.

KEEP YOUR NOSE CLEAN!

Leave in perfume/cologne in the room, they can affect your tasting experience as well as others around you. Smells can lay on smells which create new smells… When you tip the wine glass an approach with the nose, all those esters bouncing around, you want to be able to catch them easily. It will set the proper stage to identify the aroma of the wine. Note: Smoking and breath mints are not the best friends for wine tasting. Try to abstain… but if you can’t, please be aware of others around you.

PACK A SNACK!

As you move along, probably a good idea to snack a bit. The tannins, acids and frequency of new wine tasting can disrupt your balance, a little bit of food can restore you. Everyone has a different constitution. If you feel you should – snack. Try to keep it simple as not to disrupt our palate – coat your stomach, not the wine. Enjoy a nice lunch mid-day, hydrate again.

CARRY PROTECTION!

It gets very sunny hot in Napa Valley and Sonoma. After the burn off, both you and your wine can become vulnerable. Bring sunscreen and a good way to protect your wine purchases. Do not underestimate the heat of a trunk, corks will shrink and the wine will oxidize, an event of finality. A cooler or a insulated jacket could save your precious bottles. Otherwise, tonight will be the right time to drink it.