Wine tasting etiquette 101: what you need to know

In the wine world, there is an unspoken protocol for every social situation.

Attending a wine tasting, for example, not only requires one to learn the appropriate etiquette, but also to perform the delicate juggling act of holding a wine glass, a pencil and a notepad.

Usually, people seated at a reception table will greet guests. Have your name card handy and be patient while they find you on their list (which always seems to take forever). Take a tasting sheet and have a quick look through it to see which wines are being shown. I prefer to go for the whites on my first round, then move onto the reds; others like to taste wines by the chateau/winery. Both of these methods are acceptable.

There is usually someone pouring: perhaps the winemaker (if you're lucky) or someone who is affiliated with the winery. The pour is about 15ml, similar to the taster amount you get when you order a bottle of wine in a restaurant, just enough to smell and taste the wine. Do not ask for more than what has been poured; if you don't like it, the winemaker will wince at you dumping the extra wine into the spittoon. (On that note, when using the spittoon, don't stand directly in front of it, as you're blocking access to it.)

Once you've tried all the wines, you can return to the tables that served your favourites and ask for another sample; compliment the winemaker on his bottles and, usually, he will be delighted to pour you another sip.

If it's a formal, seated tasting, where the wines are pre-poured, wait until the end of the session to ask for more.

And remember to put your phone away. People are there to taste wines, not to listen to what's happening in your office.