This is not a trick question. The answer depends on who you are with, why you are tasting, whether you expectorate, who is driving, and what your final stop will be. Wine countries around the world offer so much to experience, it is only natural to want to take in as much as possible. It is not just the wines, but the beauty of the vineyards, the feeling of being in the winery, and of course the people watching.
If you want a quick cheat, here is the answer. Two is too few, you will feel like you missed out. Three makes for a fun day. Four is doable if you plan it right. Five or more and you will no longer be able to taste the wine due to palate fatigue. To help figure out which is the right fit for you, here are the things you need to consider before ordering your first wine flight.
1. What sort of trip is this?
There is a substantial difference between a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage to Champagne or a weekend in wine country with the girls. The question is, do you want to remember the wines or the trip? For birthdays, anniversaries, and other such occasions it is perfectly fine to flitter between wineries. If you do not like a wine or the winery, you are under no obligation to stay. Try as many as you like. On the other hand, if this is a once-in-alifetime trip, pace yourself. Go to fewer wineries and spend more time at each soaking it in. People try to go for quantity on such occasions, but quality is where it is at. A good guideline for it is how far you have traveled. If you crossed an ocean or a continent take your time, if you drove up for the weekend go wild.
2. Who are you tasting with?
The character of your group will shape how they will enjoy their time in wine country and inevitably how much fun you have. You can fill up the itinerary with wineries if any of the following terms apply, you call the group a squad, you are wearing matching t-shirts, at some point someone will yell ‘wooo’ out a car window. At the opposite end of the spectrum are your connoisseurs, wine geeks, and anyone who regularly reads Jancis Robinson. Not sure if this is your group, here are some signs. Someone has researched the new releases of a winery, you have a wine club member in your group, or someone yells, “I am not drinking any f@*#ing Merlot” out of a car window. This group will need extra time to pore over tasting notes and discuss the true meaning of minerality at length.
3. Can you Expectorate?
Are you Gaston from Beauty and the Beast? Expectoration, in laymen’s terms, is spitting. It is the fancy way to say it and the wine world will always gravitate to the fanciest term possible. Just look at the number of French words used in winemaking when there are perfectly good English ones. Frugality is a good word for those who do not spit. Why waste good wine? Expectoration equals endurance in wine tasting. You will be able to physically taste more wines before you get palate fatigue. Those who do not spit, will experience the well documented effects of ethyl alcohol. Meaning those who spit will stay on a bar stool for longer than those who do not. Plan accordingly.
4. Do you have a Driver?
Of course, all that spitting will not matter if you have thought ahead and hired a driver. If it is a prepackaged tour, congratulations you can stop reading, the number of wineries is pre-set. If you are utilizing a private car, Uber, or a friend who drew the short straw, the number of wineries is now unlimited. A responsible adult such as yourself knows that drinking and driving has no place in wine country. With their help you can visit as many wineries as your constitution will allow. Just remember to do a headcount before leaving each winery. If you have a large group, we recommend the buddy system.
5. What is the Last Winery on your List?
Finally, the biggest and most overlooked factor, where you will end up. The character of this winery is of paramount importance. Are you finishing up at sit down dinner, perhaps even prix fixe? Then shave off a winery or two. If there are live music and a dance floor, add a few wineries so that you can arrive in the right mood. Is the winery the highlight of your trip, or just the one closest to your hotel? Is it a place that you can be uninhibited or is it a temple to wine where you must speak in hushed tones? Consider all this, then add and subtract as necessary. You picked this place for a reason, make sure you can enjoy it.
The last piece of advice is to think about how much wine there is in each tasting. Every pour is one to two ounces, and there are four to five pours. That is a glass or two at each tasting room to give you an idea of how much your group will be drinking if they do not spit. To review, visit one winery and you might feel cheated, two wineries are a half day, three wineries are a sweet spot, four wineries can be a rush, five or more wineries becomes a blur.
For your next trip remember to do the math ahead of time so everyone enjoys themselves. And if you are in our neck of the woods, end your day at Carlson Creek. Perhaps you will find your favorite wine and you will come back and join out Wine Society.
Cheers,
The Carlson Creek Team
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