Wine tasting is a great way to learn about different types of wines and what you like. But if you’re new to wine tasting, it can be overwhelming.

There are so many different wines to try, and it’s hard to know where to start.

Here are some tips on how to maximize your wine-tasting experience.

1. Preparation: Do your research ahead of time.

Sounds obvious right? Before you go wine tasting, it’s helpful to do a little bit of research.

This will help you understand what type of wines you’re interested in trying, what sorts of flavors you might like and where they are located.

Here is a complete list of wineries in Prince Edward County and their wines.

Once you have an idea of what you’re interested in, you can ask the staff at the winery for recommendations.

If you like a light red wine find wineries that offer Pinot Noir or Gamay Noir.

Plan your wine-tasting tour route or area you want to visit. I always check a map of wineries in the area I want to visit then plan all my stops.

If you’re coming to Prince Edward County see my self-guided wine tour maps.

Also, check out a list of Wineries you can eat at in Prince Edward County.

2. Start with a light-bodied wine first.

If you’re new to wine tasting, it’s best to start with a light-bodied white wine. These types of wines are typically lower in alcohol and have delicate flavors. This will help you get an idea of what you like before moving on to more full-bodied wines.

The best starting white wines would be Pinot Grigio, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc.

The best starting red wines would be Gamay Noir, Zweigelt, and Pinot Noir.

These light-bodied white wines have an ABV (Alcohol By Volume) of 12.5% or less.

One of the best Gamay Noir in Prince Edward County is the Nouveau Gamay from Domaine Darius winery in Bloomfield.

See my complete list of wine-tasting notes that can help you determine the best wine.

3. Take your time.

A wine-tasting tour is meant to be a leisurely experience. Savor each sip and take the time to notice all the different flavors in the wine.

Once you’ve finished one glass, move on to the next wine and compare the two.

Many wineries and vineyards will give you a fight of wines to sit and relax with.

For example, Broken Stone Winery brings you each of the wine tastings to your seat one bottle at a time.

I created a video of our wine-tasting experience at Broken Stone, you can check it out.

4. Maximize your wine tasting.

Here are a few simple tips to help you get the most out of your next wine-tasting experience.

First, take a moment to look at the wine. Notice its color and clarity.

Then, give it a gentle swirl to release the aromas.

Take a small sip and let the wine linger in your mouth for a moment before swallowing.

Pay attention to the flavors and how they change as the wine moves around your mouth.

Finally, does the aftertaste linger or does it disappear quickly?

Rinse between tastings to cleanse the taste buds.

With practice, you’ll be able to pick out subtle nuances in flavor and aroma that you might miss at first.

Check out this post for step-by-step details on how to maximize your wine tasting like a pro.

What are the 5 S’s of wine tasting?

The 5 S’s of wine tasting are Sight, Swirl, Smell, Sip, and Spit. Although not many people choose to spit these days.

Starting with Sight, take a look at the wine in your glass. What color is it? Is it clear or cloudy? This can give you some clues about the wine’s age and variety.

Next, give the wine a good Swirl. This helps to release the aromas and get oxygen into the wine.

Now it’s time to Smell the wine. What do you notice? Are there fruity, floral, or earthy aromas?

Taking a small Sip, pay attention to the taste and texture of the wine. Is it sweet, sour, or bitter? What does it feel like in your mouth?

Finally, Spit the wine out. This may seem counter-intuitive, but it’s important not to drink too much when you’re tasting wine. Swishing the wine around in your mouth and then spitting it out allows you to get all the flavors without getting drunk.

Honestly, I don’t know of anyone that spits wine out during tastings. I certainly do not. LOL

By following these simple steps, you can get the most out of your wine-tasting experience. So next time you’re at a vineyard or Wine bar, remember the 5 S’s and enjoy!

So relax and enjoy exploring all that wine has to offer.

You may be interested in how many calories are in red wine.

You should check out this amazing explanation of why wine tasters choose Artisan Cheese to pair their wine with.

5. Ask questions.

The staff at the winery are there to help you enjoy your experience. If you have any questions about the wines or the winery, don’t hesitate to ask them.

They’ll be happy to answer your questions and give you more information about the wines they’re pouring and food pairings.

Often the server will interview you so they know what to suggest for your wine tasting.

6. When you hire a wine tour company.

This can be a good choice if you’re not familiar with the area or you don’t have time to research the different wineries.

There are a few things that you’ll need to keep in mind when booking a wine-tasting tour.

• First, you’ll need to decide which wineries you want to visit. If you are not familiar with the area explain the types of wine you are interested in, to the wine tour company.
• Second, you’ll need to make sure that you have enough time to visit all of the wineries on your list. Most wine tour companies offer set schedules in hours, half a day, and full-day tours. Pick one that suits your schedule.
• Third, Pick a wine taste tour that includes all the tasting at one price. Also, some may include a wine pairing as well.
• Fourth, you’ll need to budget for wine tastings and other expenses. Some wineries charge for wine tastings regardless if you buy wine or not. Take into account this added cost. Also often time you’ll really enjoy a glass of wine and want to purchase a few bottles while you there.
• Fifth, consider tip money. Your driver and your servers may make your wine-tasting tour experience amazing so consider a cash tip.

Check this complete list of wine tour companies here in Prince Edward County.

7. Wine tour prices

Wine-tasting tour cost from $150 to as much as $500 per person. The price of the wine tours varies depending on the vineyard, the length of the tour, and whether or not food is included.

Some of the best wine tours in Prince Edward County include a light lunch or snacks, while others do not.

Guests can purchase picnic baskets stuffed with snacks or a full lunch.

Vegetarian and vegan options are usually available upon request.

It is important to do some research before booking a wine tour, in order to find one that best suits your budget and preferences.

8. Pick the best time of year for wine tours.

The best time to go on a wine-tasting tour in Prince Edward County is in the spring and fall.

In the spring before the long weekend in May and in the fall after school is back in operation.

Prince Edward County is a very busy tourist location throughout the summer months. You can expect long delays in service, lineups, and reservations required in many popular places.

Summer is a popular time for weddings and some wineries will have bachelorettes’ wine tour parties in high gear also.

9. What do you wear to a wine tasting?

Dressing for a wine tour tasting doesn’t have to be tricky. If it’s early in the year the middle of summer or late in the fall you can dress casually.

Some people want to look stylish, and that’s fine. Most wineries do not have a dress code.

Here are a few tips to help you choose the perfect outfit:

• Stick to light colors. White, cream, and pastel colors are best. During the hot summer months, darker colors can absorb sunlight, making it difficult to enjoy your wine tour.
• Avoid strong-scented perfume, cologne, and lotions as these can all interfere with your ability to smell the wine. As an alternative, you use a body spray but apply it lightly and avoid your neck and wrists.
• If you need to take your purse consider a cross-body purse/bag. This will free up your hands for your tastings.
• Choose comfortable shoes. High heels may cause you problems. You’ll be doing a lot of walking on uneven surfaces, so make sure you wear shoes that offer good support and grip.
• During the cooler months, I suggest dressing in layers. Many wineries have temperature-controlled tasting rooms, but the temperature can vary widely from one room to another. Wearing layers allows you to adjust your clothing as needed to be comfortable.

10. Take a wine bag

One of the best parts about going wine tasting is that you can buy bottles of your favorite wines to take home with you.

So if you find a wine that you really enjoy, take an empty wine box or wine bag with you and fill it up.

Many wineries will place more than one bottle purchase into a box for you. If you’re buying one bottle at a time these single bottles tend to roll around in your vehicle between destinations.

Best wine tasting tours in Prince Edward County

This picturesque region of Ontario is home to some of the best Prince Edward County wineries, and there are plenty of great wine-tasting tours available.

Here are just a few of the best wine tours in Prince Edward County that we have been on.

The Grange of Prince Edward County Tour

The first stop on any good wine tour is The Grange of Prince Edward County. This family-run winery produces some of the finest pinot noirs in the region. They have very scenic grounds that are perfect for a leisurely stroll. Visitors can tour the vineyards, winery, and barrel cellar, and taste a selection of the estate’s magnificent Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines. Be sure to try their signature red blend, which has won numerous awards with a cheese pairing.

Sandbanks Estate Winery Tour

For something a little different, check out Sandbanks Estate Winery. This unique winery is located in Wellington, and its wines reflect the terroir of the surrounding area. Their chardonnay and Pinot Gris are particularly noteworthy, and their stunning views are not to be missed.

Closson Chase Vineyards

Finally, no trip to Prince Edward County would be complete without a visit to Closson Chase Vineyards. This big purple barn winery is set in the heart of wine country, and its award-winning wines are some of the best in the region. Be sure to try their Riesling, which was recently named one of the best white wines in Canada.

Huff Estates Winery Tour

Huff Estates Winery is located in Picton, Ontario, and offers a variety of wine tours and tastings packages. Visitors can take the barrel cellar experience, as well as taste a selection of award-winning wines, pinot noir, Cabernet Franc, and Pinot Gris.

Norman Hardie Winery Tour

Norman Hardie Winery is located in Wellington, Ontario, and offers a variety of wine tours and tastings.

Visitors can take a guided wine-tasting tour through the vineyards winery or barrel cellar experience, as well as taste a selection of the estate’s red and white wines. Few wineries in Prince Edward County offer this level of tour.

Also, it’s close to the Casa Dea Estates Winery so it’s worth checking out their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and outside tasting bar too.

Rosehall Run Vineyards Tour

Rosehall Run Vineyards is located in Wellington, Ontario, and offers wine tours and a tasting bar, including a walk through the vineyard. Visitors can also purchase a picnic lunch to enjoy on the property’s grounds.

Three Dog Winery Tour

Three Dog Winery is located in PEC (Prince Edward County), Ontario offering visitors stunning views from their hilltop patio while sipping on some of their fine wines.

They offer both private and group tours which include walking through their picturesque vineyards followed by an intimate wine-tasting bar inside their elegant tasting room. One of our favorite wineries in Prince Edward County.

Hinterland Wine Company

Hinterland Wine Company is one of the best sparkling fruit wineries in Prince Edward County.

Known for its sparkling wines and informative wine tours. Their world-class wines are made with a variety of fruit juices, including grape juice, apple juice, and pear juice.

Hinterland winery fruit wines are made in small batches so that they can maintain the quality of their fruit wines. These fruit wines are available in a variety of sizes, including half-bottles, bottles, and jugs. Hinterland Winery was a really cool tour when we went.

Other wine-tasting tours to consider are, Traynor Family Vineyard, Sugarbush Vineyards, Harwood Estates, Broken Stone Winery, Karlo Estates Winery, The Old Third Winery, Waupoos Estates Winery on Lake Ontario has its own onsite restaurant.

These are just some of the best wineries for tasting tours.

Also, see my complete list of the best wine tours in Prince Edward County.

Bike wine tour Prince Edward County

Bike wine tours are a great way to explore the best wineries in Prince Edward County.

These private tours allow you to pedal your way from one winery to the next, with plenty of stops along the way to sample the local wine.

The best part is that you don’t have to worry about designated drivers or renting a car. Simply hop on your bike and let the wind take you to some of the best wineries in the area.

Prince Edward County is home to many award-winning wineries, so you’re sure to find a tour that’s perfect for you.

Take a leisurely ride or an adrenaline-pumping adventure, a bike wine tour is the best way to see some cool things in this beautiful area.

The Grape Growers of Ontario

The Grape Growers of Ontario is a not-for-profit membership organization that represents more than 1,200 commercial grape growers across the province. The organization is dedicated to ensuring that the wine industry in Ontario thrives.

Grape growers are responsible for producing the high-quality grapes that are used to make great wine.

They work hard to ensure that their grapes are healthy and free of pests and diseases. The Grape Growers of Ontario also provides resources and support for Prince Edward County wine tours.

Know that these wine tours provide visitors with an opportunity to learn about the wine industry and taste some of the great wines that are produced in the province. Thanks to the Grape Growers of Ontario, Prince Edward County wine tours are truly spectacular.

Wine tastings are a great way to learn about different types of wines and find ones that you like. By following these tips, you can make sure that your next wine-tasting experience is enjoyable and informative.