8 Tips for a Smooth Organic Vineyard Trip

Being green doesn't mean you can't enjoy wine. Sure, alcohol should be consumed in moderation, but as long as you can consume responsibly, a glass of wine here and there is fine. Choosing organic wine is important. Not only is it better for your health, but supporting the industry, as a whole, will help to impact the future of the wine industry. A great way to support the organic wine industry is to go on a wine tasting tour at an organic vineyard. You'll be able to experience the vineyard up close this way and pick the brains of those who work hard to make your organic wine possible. And you'll probably get free wine. Which is fun. As long as you can get home safely.

But etiquette during a wine tasting tour can be kind of particular. So before you venture out to an organic vineyard for your wine tasting and support, make sure you know some of the ground rules:

1. Some vineyards charge a small amount to taste their wine. Be prepared for this.


2. You are paying for a taste—not an open bar. In no case should you be drinking glass after glass of wine at a wine tasting.


3. If you ask for a second tasting of a wine, it should be because you're serious about buying it—not because you want more free or cheap wine.


4. Wait for your host to pour you a taste—don't help yourself. They'll be able to tell you all about the wine and make the experience, generally speaking, a better one.


5. Water is usually provided for rinsing your glass between tastings. It's a good idea to take advantage of this, even though it uses up water, so that you have a secure grasp of what each wine tastes like. Otherwise, you'll always be tasting the residue of the previous wine. Not ideal.


6. If you don't know the fancy pants approach to tasting wine, here it is: Swirl the wine in the glass to circulate the aroma. Sniff the wine to get an impression of it. Sip the wine and slurp it in your mouth a bit. Keep the wine in your mouth for a few seconds and swallow the wine if you like it.


7. Once your wine has been poured, step back and don't crowd the bar.


8. If you don't like a wine, remain courteous about it.

These are just a few tips to help you get through your first wine tasting tour. Having these tips down pact will make your experience much more enjoyable and you'll be able to support an organic vineyard smoothly and without problems.

More on Organic Wine:
Uncork Some Green Wine
How to Go Green: Wine
Buy Green: Organic Cabernet Sauvignon
Get to Know Organic Spanish Wines