When you work in the wine industry, you get to taste a lot of different wines which is a definite perk. You also learn very quickly to wear dark colours to tastings and how to properly spit. You certainly don’t want to have a “Sideways” moment with the spittoon!

(Hazard one. You get black teeth. It’s almost worth it to carry a travel toothbrush to a tasting, but careful not to use toothpaste for at least an hour as your enamel gets weakened by the acids in the wine.)

Moderate yourself. There are many amazing wines, but in order to properly evaluate; you must taste in order of flavour profiles and weight. Or if that isn’t possible, cleanse your palate between wines if you are tasting out of order. (Generally it is whites then roses before red, fortified and dessert wines last, lighter bodied wines before heavier, and more youthful wines before cellared or vintage. )

(Hazard two; palate fatigue. Choose the wines you want to try and taste in order to properly evaluate. Spit)

If you can, try to properly document your thoughts, I usually carry a notebook at all times. I have found it quite helpful when revisiting vintages or comparing barrel samples. I generally jot down the specifics on the wines, then a brief tasting note, sometimes with a rating.

(Hazard three; your palate evolves. The wine world becomes your oyster and everywhere you look, you find hidden gems. Suddenly you notice that there are so many amazing wines in the world! But alas, they are not imported to your province or country.)

Reach out, talk with fellow industry people, go to tastings and be active in the community. Make a new friend or two!

(Hazard four; you get to explore your own backyard and horizons and make exploration a reality. Also, you meet many amazing people that you might never have met in wine)

Wine is accessible and not to be feared providing that you are of legal age, and if you are striving to learn then you are always moving forward, so sip on!

In Vino Veritas