Robert's Report

Yes Spring is here. The most wonderful time of the year. A time were wineries have what they call their Spring Release
Its wine tasting time. Winery association and wineries across Canada are holding events where you can go and tasted their Spring releases.

Luckily for me I get invested to many of these events free of charge. But it was not always the case I started this Website in 1992. It took almost six years before I started getting invitations to various tasting's. It took over seven year before we hit the one million visit mark but only one more year before we topped two million.

So many good wines. One of the first events I went to was the Naramata Bench Association Spring tasting in Vancouver. This year it will be held on April 21 for those interest click here. I also had the pleasure of attending the Vancouver Olympic announcement of Vincor's Sponsorship for the games. All of Vincor's BC wineries were there along with the winemakers.

The next event current on the schedule is the Jackson-Triggs media tasting followed by Lulu Island and even the New Zealand wine Tasting Event. Crowed in among the various events are trips to the winery, along with wine dinners with family and friends. Yes I have learned to spit.

What have all these tasting taught.. This - Canada makes incredibly GOOD wines!

If you are new at the delightful experience of tasting wines some tips are listed here

The spring is a great time to visit the wineries and enjoy samples at their tasting bar. If you enjoy a wine please purchase a bottle. As offering tasting is a huge expenditure on the winery. Staff must be paid, heat and hydro bills to be paid, glasses to be bought and cleaned and of courses taxes. Oh and their is the cost of producing that wine.

Wine tasting Manners

Wine tasting's are events designed to give enthusiasts the opportunity to sample a range of wines. The events can be very much like classes (seated, seminar-like events), or they can be more like parties (tasters milling around informally). Compared to a wine class, the participants at a wine tasting are more likely to have various levels of knowledge. Tastings don't come in beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels — one size fits all.

Wine tastings are popular because they override the limitations of sampling wine alone, at home. How many wines can you taste on your own (unless you don't mind throwing away nine-tenths of every bottle)? How many wines are you willing to buy on your own? And how much can you learn by tasting wine in isolation — or with a friend whose expertise is no greater than yours?

At wine tastings, you can learn from your fellow tasters, as well as make new friends who share your interest in wine. Most importantly, you can taste wine in the company of some individuals who are more experienced than you, which is a real boon in training your palate.

When attending a wine tasting always be polite. Tastings can be packed with people, and if the lay out of the room is not the best, you will, without doubt, be feeling a bit like a sardine. Sharpen your elbows, taste the wine and move on. Don't linger around in front of the table unless you are deep in conversation with someone behind the table, make the conversation brief as others are waiting.

Once receiving your wine step back. I hate it when people start conversations with each other in front of the table with no regard for anyone who is behind them waiting to taste.

It is a good idea to turn your cell phone off. If you are expecting an important call them move away from the tasting area to chat.
Do not monopolize the time of the people pouring if you wish to discuss business with them make an appointment.

The people doing the pouring have a difficult task of handling a number of people crowed around a small pouring table or bar.
They should always greet the taster and make a suggestion on how the tasting should begin. They too must be careful not to let one person take their entire attention.

Spitting is allowed but do some in the container provided. It is also a good idea to practice at home. Swallowing isn't really necessary in order to taste the wine fully. If you leave the wine in your mouth for eight to ten seconds, you'll be able to taste it thoroughly — without having to worry about the effects of the alcohol.

Allow other tasters the chance to form their own opinions. Wait until everyone has had a chance to taste a wine before making any comments. Don't interfere with other taster's sense of smell. This means no smoking or use of highly scented products such as after-shave, perfume or scented lotions.

When attending wine tastings at a winery be prepared to purchase at least one bottle of wine. To help you make your way through Canada's numerous winer regions Click Here

Spring Time