Karen La Corte
manners MATTER
Karen La Corte is an etiquette and manners expert trained and
certified by the Emily Post Institute in Vermont. Karen is happy to
answer your questions — email her at [email protected]
Tasting Etiquette
I
f you like wine, we live in a
fabulous region. You can explore
Napa and Sonoma to the north,
and Monterey County and Paso
Robles to the south, but most important,
you can do the wine trail right here in
South Santa Clara Valley. If you have
a free weekend, there are plenty of
wonderful wineries to visit right here
in your own backyard.
My love of wine began very early
when I went to work for the Filice Family
who once owned the San Martin Winery.
Many of you may remember it. It was my
perfect part-time job through college and
as a young adult.
I ran into the newly-retired Steve
Ynzunza recently at Westside Grill. Steve
now works for Martin Ranch Winery
and we talked about our winery days
together. Combining his suggestions and
my own experience, I’ve come up with a
few rules of tasting-room etiquette.
Don’t act like you know more than
the wine host. You might, but it’s rude
to be the know-it-all. This is not the time
to impress your date here with your wine
knowledge. A lot of thought and energy
goes into providing a fun and educational
tasting for you. Further, don’t brag about
your home cellar. Check all egos at
the door.
Don’t wear perfume or after-shave.
This can overpower the folks standing
next to you and the aroma of the wine.
Don’t guzzle your wine. Savor your
sips. This is a tasting room, not a bar.
If you appear tipsy, you may be refused
service or asked to leave. You don’t have
to taste everything. Put a couple fi ngers
over the top of your glass to signal that
you want to skip a particular wine pour.
Casual dress to upscale cocktail attire
is typically accepted.
Call in advance if you have a group
larger than fi ve. Weekends can be
crowded versus the weekday tastings.
Some wineries prefer reservations. Check
their websites for hours and availability.
Consider yourself a guest. Wineries
are proud of their establishments so mind
your manners. Loud and inappropriate
behavior is rude and disrespectful to staff
and other visitors.
Eat before you go. Drinking on an
empty stomach is a bad idea. Bring
bottled water to hydrate.
Do ask questions. Your wine hosts
are pretty knowledgeable. They also have
access to information they may need to
look up. Be considerate, not everyone
knows everything about wine.
Do not pick up a bottle and pour
your own tasting. Yikes! This is a major
no-no. Let the host pour your wine.
Crackers and cheese, if served, are
provided to help cleanse your palate and
to help you see how the wine pairs with
food. This is not your lunch.
Wineries limit their pours, by law.
You may ask for a second taste, but there
may be an expectation that you will be
making a purchase.
There may be a tasting fee. Many
wineries apply this fee toward your
purchase of their wine.
Dump buckets are provided if you
don’t want to fi nish your wine especially
if you are visiting multiple tasting
rooms. Three to four wineries in one day
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
FALL/HOLIDAY 2019
should be about the max. This is when
a designated driver or Uber-type service
is a must. It is okay for two people to
share one glass and pay for only one
tasting fee. My husband and I did this at
Fernwood Cellars a couple of weeks ago.
Leaving your host a tip is optional
but greatly appreciated.
Leave the cigarettes and cigars at
home. Bring kiddo and dogs only if the
winery welcomes them.
If you don’t like a particular wine,
share your thoughts respectfully. Wine is
subjective. Shaking your head, sticking
your tongue out, making a face or
making negative remarks, are just plain
rude.
Be open to trying something new. Be
open minded. You may surprise yourself
and like it.
Don’t hold the glass by the bowl. It
affects the wine temperature. Hold it by
the stem instead.
Avoid chewing gum, drinking coffee
or brushing your teeth right before
a tasting. This can interfere with the
fl avors.
If you’ve made plans through the
winery to bring a picnic lunch, do not
bring wine from another winery, or any
other alcohol.
Enjoy the grounds. But whatever you
do, don’t pick the grapes!
As we head into the holidays,
wineries may be less crowded in winter
months. Wine makes great a gift and
pairs with any holiday cuisine. Whether
you are a novice or a wine afi cionado,
manners matter. Be polite and
drink sensibly!
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