Tips for Napa Wine Tasting

The Napa Valley is one of the most well-known winemaking regions in the world. Many wineries can be found in the area, all of them exhibiting different specialties but most especially, Cabernet Sauvignon. 

If you are a wine enthusiast or if you would like to know more about Napa Valley wines, wineries usually offer tours and tastings of their collection. This allows people to have first-hand experience of discerning the tastes and aromas of different wines. For first-time visitors, Napa Valley can be quite overwhelming due to the number of wineries that are located in the area. You might ask, where should you go first and what do you do when you’re there?

In this article, we will give you some tips when it comes to wine tasting in Napa. 

Before Going to Napa

• Plan ahead. Since Napa Valley has been booming with tourists, it is most advisable that you should pre-book accommodations months before you plan on going. If you aren’t a fan of too many people, know which months have less visitors.
• Research on Napa Valley wineries. Look up the different wineries in the area and see how many you can go to depending on the duration of your visit. However, it is recommended that you should only go to 1 to 3 wineries a day. Check their wine tasting policies and hours so you can schedule effectively.
• Book an appointment. Most Napa wineries require you to book an appointment with them for a tour and tasting. Booking fees usually range from $10 to $150 or even more depending on the winery. 
• Wear appropriate clothing. The weather in Napa Valley can change from chilly mornings to sunny afternoons so make sure that your outfit is suited for the climate conditions. Wear comfortable shoes in case you are going to tour a vineyard. 
• Bring water. Water is essential when going wine tasting to avoid being dehydrated. Drink as much water as the wine you consume. 
• Eat before going. Having a full stomach before drinking wine is very important so you won’t get drunk too quickly. 
• Bring a cooler. In case you end up buying a wine or two, you need to store it in a cooler so that it won’t cook inside the car. 

During Wine Tasting

• Swirl and sniff. Before drinking, swirling and sniffing the glass will help in bringing out the underlying aromas of the wine. Doing these things enhances the senses when you start drinking.
• Take notes of the wine’s characteristics. Jotting down what flavors and aromas you have identified will help in remembering certain wines in the future. You can also easily identify which things you don’t like in a wine.
• If you have questions, ask. Do not be embarrassed if you have something to ask. Not everyone knows about wine and wine tasting is the perfect time to inquire. Winery staff should be courteous and ready to answer any questions a person may have. 
• Spit or swallow. Do not be surprised when somebody spits out wine upon tasting. This is common practice to avoid getting drunk throughout the experience. You have to swish the wine in your mouth and let it coat the whole area to discern the flavors. After that, you spit it out in the dump bucket. Although, it is up to you whether you spit or swallow.

Now that you have some tips, the only thing left to do is to book that wine tasting appointment. Fantesca offers a private tour and tasting of their estate and winery wherein people can experience how their wines are made. See how grapes are grown and chosen in the vineyard, smell and savor the aromas of French oak barrels situated in their mountainside cave and, finally, taste the high-quality wines. 

Exploring the vast estate and tasting limited-availability wines made by a world-class winemaker while overlooking the majestic view of the Spring Mountain is surely a great experience to wine enthusiasts. If you wish to visit Fantesca Estate and Winery, you should book an appointment here. 

Enjoy a fantastic wine-tasting experience!