Introduction to wine spitting
The term spitting out wine may sound a bit vulgar, but it’s actually a sign of respect. Wine tasting is an art form that requires precision and finesse, which can only be achieved by taking the time to taste the wine before swallowing.
When you attend a wine tasting, one of the most important things to remember is to spit out the wine. This may seem like an unpleasant task, but it’s necessary in order to limit your alcohol consumption. Here’s why:
When you drink wine, the alcohol is absorbed into your bloodstream through your stomach and small intestine. The more alcohol you consume, the more impaired your judgment and coordination will be. By spitting out the wine instead of swallowing it during a wine tasting event, you may avoid getting tipsy and better evaluate the flavors of the wines you will be tasting.
Spit vs when to sip your wine
There are two main ways to approach wine tasting-by spitting it out or by sipping it. When you’re first starting out, it’s best to spit out the wine. This will allow you to taste as many wines as possible without getting drunk. As you become more experienced, you may find that you can sip the wine and still evaluate its flavors. Here are some tips on when to spit and when to sip:
When to Spit:
- Formal tastings are likely to include a communal spittoon or spit bucket for spitting into.
- Wine Trade events were you are likely to try more than 50 wines
- Wine school or conventions, you want to be able to retain information
When to Sip:
- When you don’t have many wines to try and you are not driving
- Small intimate tastings
- At a restaurant or at wine bar
- The last wines you will be trying at a big tasting event
- A very expensive wine you get poured at a tasting event
- When there’s a pandemic and you don’t want to spread your germs
The majority of the time, spit is the solution, and don’t feel guilty about spitting. Even the most refined sommeliers acknowledge it as part of wine tasting etiquette. Some wine drinkers spit more than others, but if you want to fully enjoy the experience, then it’s best to spit. At the end the most important thing is that you don’t make a fool of yourself by getting drunk and endanger yourself while doing so.
If you’re going to a wine tasting event, make sure you do your homework and know what wines will be served beforehand; you may want to skip the others until later so that you can savor only the ones you really want to enjoy!
