When you attend a wine show you will need a glass. The glass is often part of the entrance fee or you would need to purchase the glass at a table near the wine section. Always hold the glass by the stem. Generally the wine tables are arranged together and a representatives of each wine estate will be willing to share the wine and information. Often they will be wine savvy and will happily explain how the wine was made, the regional characteristics or perhaps the commercial implications of a particular wine. Sometime it is a “know very little” promoter or the long standing rep or brand ambassador. On some occasions, you could meet the owner or even the wine maker who actually made the wine. Be respectful and learn. Never pour your own wine. The presenter should only pour wine for the person standing in-front of the table not for the wife and her friends sitting and chatting at a nearby table. They are here to promote and sell their wines. They are not at the event to get the public drunk for free. Spit and stay sober. Sip the wine. Do not “sluck”. Two or three sips will allow you to taste the wine. Pour the remanence into the spittoon. If you allow yourself to spit, your palette will remain “able to taste” and your brain able to file the information relating to the wine. The estate will not be offended if you take the trouble to taste intelligently. Try not to get hooked on one estate or one varietal. Avoid “same old same old”. Always try the new wines, new vintages and new Wine Estates. Rinsing your glass is optional. South Africans are often sanitised and walk around a wine show cleaning and rinsing their glass. The French never put water in the glass as they like the layer of alcohol that clings to the sides. It keeps the wine encapsulated and undiluted. However, you need to rinse after you taste Brandy, Port or a very sweet wines. When you “nose” the wine do-not turn your face around like a clock. Turn and twist the glass and angle it. Then place your nose into the glass, tilt it towards your mouth and sniff. Then taste. Understand what a varietal is. It is the “kind” of grape used for the wine. Common South African varietals for white wine: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay or Chenin Blanc. Red wine: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz or Pinotage. Blended wines are a combination of two or more varietal. There are three items on a bottle that you need to understand. *The name of the wine estate or brand. (Van Loveren, KWV, Bon Courage, Groot Constantia….) *The vintage of the wine. The date is the year the grape was picked. *The description of the wine. If it is a single varietal, it would generally be named after the varietal. Chenin Blanc, Shiraz etc. If it is a blend, the name of the wine could be in memory of the previous lover of the winemaker, or the marketers could use any name to promote the blend. There are no specific rules and each winemaker or wine estate can register whatever fits their hearts or the marketing department. Take the opportunity to buy wine, especially if they are at a preferential price. Try to remember the name of the Wine Estate, the varietal and the representative you met. File the taste of the wine. This will give you “bragging rights” and sensible information to add to your wine knowledge. Walk around. Ask for information. Smile and enjoy. Watch other wine enthusiasts. Meet new bods. BE ADVENTUROUS – TASTE NEW WINES!