Tips for having fun at a wine-tasting experience

How to get to the wine tasting experience:

Get information on how to reach the place of tasting: if the wine experience is organized in a winery, this is very often located in the countryside. This means that you have to organize transport by public transport (if the location is well connected) or by renting a car. You can ask your tour operator if he can suggest you which public transport you need to take, how long before the start you have to leave, if the route is easy-going with a rented car.

Provide the return trip: there are restrictions in many countries on driving a car after drinking alcohol. The best is to hire a shuttle-bus but it could be a very expensive solution.

What wines to expect at a wine-tasting:

Before booking a wine tasting you should know which wines are produced in the area where you are. Are they Italian wines? Are the wines safeguarded by a Consorzio Vini? There are many Consorzio in Italy aimed to protect their products (wine of food), promote them and enhance their value throughout the world. Consorzio is board association of grape growers, winemakers and bottlers of the wine region.

By visiting Consorzio websites you can get a lot of introductory information on regional wines, on the making-process, on the types of wine.

"Memories of our stay in Italy"

Will the wine-tasting be paired with food?

Yep, some snacks are a must for a wine tasting! Baked goods, breadsticks or something tastier is usually always included otherwise you get drunk very quick!

What foods to expect? Your host could give you simple and light in taste food because he wants to keep the taste of wine as protagonist. But you could try mixed experiences and combine local dishes with wines: cheeses, cured meats, chutneys, cold cuts, jams, homemade marmalade. If nothing is provided to eat, do not be ashamed and ask for a loaf of bread or something similar!

Can I bring my dog at a wine-tasting?

Dogs are accepted in many wineries: just make sure you follow the good sense rules.

Many of the wineries are located in the countryside areas where many other animals already live and so your dog should not be an aggressive animal with others.

In wine farms you could meet domestic animals like dogs, hunting dogs, truffle hunting dogs, cats but also farm animals like hens, peacocks, roosters, pigs, donkeys, horses. In these wine areas there are also wild animals such as foxes, wild boar, deer, fallow deer, roe deer.

If it rains, you should not worry.

if you have joined a wine tasting in the vineyards, the rain will not stop you!

The host will move the event indoors, perhaps inside the cellars.

In case of heavy rain, your host probably won't show you around the vineyards, so take note!

This applies only if you not have an outdoor activity related to wine, such as the grape harvest or truffle hunting: in this case your kind host will have to come up with something to move the event indoors.

Make purchases at the winery: is it convenient?

At the end of the wine tasting the host usually invites you to shop at the wine shop. The wines there should be cheaper than the other intermediates because they are sold directly by the producer. You could find other products, foods that you matched with wines during the tasting.

You can bring back alcohol for personal use or as a gift, carrying them in the suitcase.

We suggest you to check your local customs law for a list of prohibited/ taxable items.

Travelers can carry bottles of wine in their luggage to capacity (but we don't guarantee how that turn out).

Alternatively you can ship the wine (the host will do it for you).

I.E.: shipping costs to the U.S. start at $ 60 for three bottles and include customs fees.
Check at the time of payment if the customs fees are included in the account or are to be paid upon delivery. Wine shipping usually takes 15 to 18 days from Italy to the U.S.

It is a wine shipping, don't worry about your bottles of wine!

Charming Italian places

Kid-friendly wineries: can I bring children to a wine-tasting?

Access to under 18s is generally not prohibited but not recommended; unless the host offers a specific educational tour for children on the wine process or the winery keeps stall animals so children can see and pet them. If you are a family you could check if in the area near the winery there is a family-park or amusement-park or a beach to play and swim: it would be a good compromise for everyone. We do not need to be reminded that alcol is completely prohibited under the legal age.

What do you wear to a wine tasting?

You should wear comfortable shoes: you could be guided in the vineyards, water and mud. You could visit the cellars in the basement: access here is not always easy. If it's summer, the heat could be heavy so wear breathable shoes.
Bring a sweater or shawl with you. There may be wind.
In general, if you wear smart clothes this is appreciated by your hosts (and they may ask you to take photos with them). If you like fine suits, a boutique winery is the best place for you. A beautiful rural setting and a glass of wine in your hand is a great backdrop for your photos!

How to write a useful wine tasting tour review:

We often read negative and unfair reviews on wine tours on sites like Tripadvisor or Getyourguide. Let's clarify what are the points and criteria with which to score a tour:

always refer to the description and details you read before purchasing the tour: these must match with the services offered by your host during the tasting
usually online reviews ask you to give a rating from 1 to 5 and write a text to comment on yours review: the general meaning of your comment must be aligned with the expressed vote. If you do not give the maximum rating you must list at least one negative note.
consider the value for money: services offered, the quality of the wine, the quality of the food and how much you paid. You must be put this in relation with average prices of the area where you are.
Give a mark to the wine tour: do not involve secondary aspects in your opinion like purchases, shipping, other guests, bad weather (rather ask yourself if the host could predict or facilitate the tour in case of bad weather)