Tips for wine touring and tasting

Whether you're following a wine trail for the first time or you're making another such trip, Arianne Wojcik of Barboursville Vineyards has some tips.

Take time to slowly taste the wine; move it around in your mouth; notice how it feels and tastes in different parts of your mouth; pay attention to the finish (or aftertaste).
Don't feel rushed even if people around you are tasting faster than you are; taste at your own pace.

Drink lots of water.

Keep an open mind. (There are many wineries, and they all have different styles in winemaking and structure their tasting in different ways.)

Don't be afraid to ask questions.

Call ahead to make sure the winery is open; find out what the hours are and what's available.

Don't try to cram too much into one day. (We think three wineries in one day is a good idea.)

Bring a map.

I find that even folks who have been wine tasting before still need reminding of these basic things.

Mostly, just have fun and don't take yourself too seriously. Know that you don't know everything. Also, vintages can vary a lot from year to year, so you might like something this time that you didn't like before.