There are more than 10,000 wine grape varieties worldwide.
Almost everyone has spent time drinking wine with friends, and many people enjoy a glass of wine with dinner. Despite that, a lot of people don’t actually know much about the different types of wine, and even fewer have been on tasting tours.
There are some incredible wineries in Sedona, so you should definitely consider doing a tour during your visit. There’s more to wine tasting etiquette than just drinking different types and deciding what you like.
In this guide, we’ll go over seven key tips that will show you how to enjoy wine on a tour in Sedona. Keep reading for more.
1. Never “Shot” Your Tasting Portion
There are a lot of elements to proper wine tasting etiquette, and this is a perfect example of what not to do. There’s a reason people do shots, and it’s almost always because they want to get drunk. While wine does contain alcohol, this isn’t the purpose of wine tasting.
You’re there to sample different wines and enjoy the various tastes and flavors available. If someone gives you wine and you immediately shot it, it suggests you don’t enjoy the taste at all. Not only does this reflect badly, but you’ll be missing out.
The wineries in the Sedona area are well known for the quality of the wines they produce. Drinking them in this way would simply be a waste. Take the time to taste them properly so that you can make the most of the experience.
2. Swirl the Wine
Different types of wine should be tasted in different ways. When it comes to red wines, for example, you should aerate them first. This can also be done with other wines, but it’s generally more commonly associated with reds.
Aerating a wine helps to enhance the aroma and flavor, providing a better overall experience. You can aerate wine by gently swirling your glass before drinking.
Note that decanting wine is another great way to aerate it. This can also help remove sulfites and sediment that are sometimes found in older red wine vintages.
3. Hold Your Glass Right
Proper glassware etiquette might not have a huge impact on the taste of wine, but it still makes a difference to the overall experience. Many people don’t think too much about how they hold a wine glass, and simply do whatever feels comfortable. There is, however, an issue that can come with this.
When drinking from a wine glass, you should hold the stem. This will ensure your hand doesn’t heat the wine at all so it stays at a suitable temperature for longer.
If you’re not used to doing this, you’ll want to focus on your grip so that you don’t drop the glass. All you need to use is your thumb, index finger, and middle finger on the stem. Your other fingers can rest on the base.
4. Take in the Aroma
Despite the description, wine tasting involves more than just tasting. A wine’s aroma is a big part of what makes it special, so before rushing into things, take the time to enjoy the smell. Experienced wine drinkers will usually be able to pick out the different scents in wine without being told beforehand what’s gone into it.
On a Sedona wine tour, you’ll be able to try some complex wines that have a range of flavors. Being able to appreciate these will offer a better experience.
5. Sip the Wine
Whether you’re on a tasting tour, having wine with dinner, or drinking wine with friends, this is always a good practice. To get the most out of the different flavors, take a small sip and swirl the wine in your mouth. Hold it for about 5 seconds before swallowing.
Fine wines (like those you’ll find in Sedona) linger on the tongue for longer – especially reds. Note that at some formal wine tasting events you might need to spit out the wine into a spittoon. This is to help people stay sober so that they can enjoy each wine at a similar level.
6. Ask Questions
When on a Sedona Wine Tour, you’ll have experts guiding you throughout the tour. They’ll know everything there is to know about the wines you’re trying, and wine tasting in general. As such, you should take advantage of this time to ask any questions that come to mind.
This might include things about the flavors that go into certain wines, the processes that are used to make different types of wines, where the grapes are sourced from, how to enjoy wine, and more.
Our wine tours are suitable for wine connoisseurs as well as beginners, so don’t be afraid to ask questions that might seem quite basic. The more experienced wine drinkers may even be able to give their own insights so you can learn more.
7. Pick the Right Tour
At Wine Tours of Sedona, we offer a range of different tours. Take the time to look through what we have available so that you can find one that aligns with what you want to do.
Our tours offer variety in terms of:
- Types of wines available
- Wineries visited
- Duration of the tours
We also try to cater things as best as possible to our guests. If you’re not sure what tour to go for, simply get in touch and we’ll discuss things with you. Our expert team will then be able to make some recommendations based on what we think you’ll enjoy the most.
How to Enjoy Wine in Sedona
Knowing how to enjoy wine is just part of what you need. You should also know where to enjoy it, and our variety of tours offers something perfect for anyone.
With almost 20 years in the industry, we provide some of the best wine tasting experiences available. Check out our wine tours page to see more information about what we offer.