You can always enjoy your wine but there are some rules if you are attending any wine tasting session. Wine etiquette is always an integral part of civilized society. Wine tasting can be a fun and interesting experience. If you travelling to wine regions, taking cellar tours and wine tastings, learning about the terroir and experiencing the beauty of the vineyards and the grapevines brings a new appreciation for the hard work that goes into making each wonderful bottle of wine.

Many people are frightened by the thought of a wine tasting and avoid wine tasting sessions altogether. But at wine tastings, be they at a winery, a wine store, a restaurant or at a house party, you will learn so much and will make new friends who share your interest in tasting wine.

Make yourself acquainted with these wine tasting etiquette tips to help you to become more comfortable as you advance from a novice wine taster to a wine connoisseur.

Tasting Tips
Enter a wine tasting room and expect to be greeted by a wine pourer or even by the winemaker or owner. They are there to talk about the winery, the grapes that are grown, types of wine they make and which wines are available to taste. It is an offense to ignore these details as they are part of the overall wine tasting experience. Greeters can immediately tell if a visitor is there only for a drink and not truly interested in the types of wines offered.

Here you will learn how many wines are offered for tasting and what the price is to taste the wines. Wine tasting prices vary from tasting room to tasting room. Some offer several tastes and some offer just a few. Some but not all tasting rooms include a souvenir glass as part of the tasting. It is not proper wine tasting etiquette to ask for a tasting of wine for free. We may sometimes find free wine tasting sessions done by wine importers or the wineries as their marketing strategy too.

Peruse the wine tasting menu before you head to the tasting table to get an idea about the wines you’re interested in tasting. If you need an explanation about the types of wines offered, don’t hesitate to ask the staff member or sommelier if present. Concentrate on tasting wines that you are interested in learning about. It is okay to skip any of the wines offered on the wine tasting menu. And, if you taste a wine that you do not care for, it is perfectly acceptable wine tasting etiquette not to finish that particular tasting of wine.

It is not proper wine tasting etiquette to ask for bottles to be opened that are not part of the tasting menu. In some instances, you may get an offer to taste wines that are not on the wine tasting menu (sometimes called special reserve) or to taste barrel wines that are available to purchase as wine futures. These instances are exceptions and not the rule and were initiated by the staff member or winery owner. If you are fortunate enough to be offered these types of wine tastings, be sure to thank them for their courtesy.

One of the basics of wine tasting is to understand that the wine poured is a tasting pour. So, don’t expect to receive a full glass of wine and do not ask for more than a tasting pour as it is not proper wine tasting etiquette to do so. Here are few tips to follow if you are attending a wine tasting session:

Dress for the event 
Here are four tips from wine pros for looking sharp and staying comfy at a wine event. To sum up: dress in dark colors, don’t wear fragrance, avoid dangling sleeves. Women should consider wearing flats for comfort. If you have long hair, tie it back so you can spit easily or keep a hand free to hold it back. And if you’re going to take notes in a notebook or carry anything, bring a purse or have deep pockets to stash your writing materials. Carrying a wineglass around means you’ll only have one hand free for holding a plate of food, shaking hands with winemakers and taking notes.

Come up with a plan for tasting 
Can you get a list of the producers or wines at the tasting ahead of time, or do you have a sense of what will be offered? If so, come prepared with a game plan. If you want to try the biggest names, head there first; or skip the busiest tables so you can fit in more new discoveries.

If you’re using the tasting as a scouting trip for bottles you want to buy, remember to bring something to write with so you can take notes, or use your camera phone to document the wines you liked.

Even if you’re going just to have a good time, it makes sense to have a plan so that your palate doesn’t get worn out. Light wines to heavier wines? A comparative tasting of only one variety such as Pinot Noir? All up to you. Some like to finish with Champagne, which is the “perfect palate cleanser.”

Eat something 
Tasting wines (and maybe drinking some too) on an empty stomach is a recipe for getting drunk quickly and not being able to enjoy the rest of the event. Remember to eat beforehand, and if there’s food offered at the tasting, take a break to eat there too. Drinking water in between wines helps to stay hydrated.

Remember to spit
Yes, you’ll be tasting good wines, and yes, no one likes to “waste” wine, but those tasting-sized pours really add up-and add up quickly at that. To get the full experience of the event, you’ll want to pace yourself by spitting wine as you go. Unglamorous maybe, but take heart-all the pros do it.

Think ahead about the red-wine teeth dilemma 
It’s an unfortunate side effect of the wine-tasting business that drinking red wine can stain your teeth. Unless you want to leave the event with a purple-tinged grin, think ahead about how you’re going to manage this. Brushing your teeth right after wine tasting can strip your teeth of protective enamel. The better route is to remember to drink water and maybe bring some chewing gum for when you're done.

Talk to the winemakers 
Wine can be more fun and memorable when you know the story behind the bottle. Take the time to talk to the winemakers, winery owners or other staff pouring at the event. If you have any questions about styles, grapes, vintages or regions, they are a great resource. If you’re polite and enthusiastic, they’ll want to answer your questions and make a connection-that’s why they’re there. But don’t monopolize their time or hog space at the table if plenty of guests are clamoring to get a taste.

Have fun 
Some people get very serious when they’re tasting wines, but remember it’s OK to smile and have a good time too. You’re tasting wine, not attending a tax seminar, and you will not be quizzed at the exit doors.

Referred various sources