Dan's Papers - October 3, 2008

With the East End grape harvest well underway-and those pesky pumpkin pickers invading the forks-wine country is a bustling place these days. Tasting rooms are packed, but it's still a great time to visit and taste. The aromas of fresh-crushed grapes and still-fermenting juice alone inspires me to wade through the sea of humanity to get a taste- and a sniff- of what's happening at the local wineries.

Wine isn't nearly as stuffy and uptight as you might think, but it's still important to remember that there are a few unwritten rules at any tasting room. Here are a few of them. Keeping them in mind will help you get the most out of your visit to wine country.

Have a Designated Driver. The pours you'll be getting at the tasting rooms are small, usually only an ounce or so, but they do add up. Decide who's going to drive before you leave the house. It's easy to assume that "someone will be sober enough to drive" but it's not always the case. Nothing ruins a great day at the wineries like a DWI arrest, or worse. If you don't want to designate a driver, hire one of the limo or bus companies to drive you around.

Don't Try to Visit Every Winery. Pick three or four wineries that you'd like to try and take your time at each one. Why? Again- those little pours add up over the course of an afternoon. It's better to pace yourself and get the full experience than rush around and not enjoy yourself.

Don't Wear Perfume or Cologne. There is perhaps nothing more annoying. People are at a winery to smell and taste wine. They want to bask in the ripe berry aromas with subtle hints of fresh thyme......not smell the cologne you've bathed in. You've met that guy. I know you have. Be considerate.

If You Don't Like it, Dump it. Maybe you don't like the buttery, woody flavors of the barrel fermented chardonnay you're tasting. Dump it. It's not rude at all. That's why they have those dump buckets on the bar next to you. It's okay to skip any of the wines on the tasting list too. If you want just merlot or just reds or whites, you can do that too.

Bring Friends and Have Fun. Wine is absolutely best enjoyed with friends. Get a group together and have a great time (with a designated driver of course.) But, remember that you aren't the only people out there. Try not to be too loud or noisy. It ruins the atmosphere for everyone else. That said, a winery isn't a library either. Have fun.

Take a Bottle Home. You don't have to, of course, and you should never feel pressured to buy something at every winery you visit. But, when you find something you like-and there's no doubt that you will-you'll probably want to take some home, won't you?