This last weekend, my wife and I ventured to one of our local wineries for a tasting and informal celebration. We can highly recommend the practice, and encourage you to try your own version. I'll leave the specifics of your own venture to your imagination, ingenuity, and creativity. But at the same time, I'll provide the details of our formula. Modification and iteration is encouraged.One of the great things about going to a vineyard is that many of the tasting rooms also have some area you can sit and relax after your tasting. The one we visited this week has a covered porch with a few tables and chairs. You'll find everything from picnic areas, to simple grassy slopes in many places. The variety is one of the great things about this area. And if the weather is cooperative, it's nearly impossible to get a location with a bad view.Here's the sequence, and the contents:Step One - Do just a little planning. Pick a tasting room you know to have a place to relax. The one we visited this time had a half dozen tables, and all but one were filled with a group on a tour. While we like to have a bit of privacy, we enjoyed having the commentary from the tour guide, and meeting the folks on the tour. Step Two - Food. Nearly all vineyards will let you bring your own food (but check first). For this visit, we decided to stick with the basics... - Fresh loaf of bread- Mozzarella cheese- Fresh cut basil- Olive oil with a mix of herbs and peppersIt helped that the winery we were visiting specializes in Italian style wines, but we would have likely stuck with the same food basket in any event.Step Three - Get there on time. Of course, 'on time' is any time you want to get there, as long as the tasting room is open. Check with the schedule in advance.Step Four - Do the tasting. I recommend you partake in the full tasting. Even if you are not a fan of sweet wines, or red wines, or whatever, try them all. That doesn't mean you need to swallow them all... just taste them (see HERE for the how-to). And take notes so you can take your favorite bottle with you to your table.Step Five - Buy (at least one) bottle of the wine you liked best. If there are more than two of you, don't be shy about buying a few bottles of a variety that pleases everyone. If you're getting white or blush wines, get them from the tasting room's chiller so they are ready to enjoy, then have the bottles opened. Step Six - Find a table, lawn, blanket, or somewhere to spend the rest of your afternoon, and do exactly that. The point is not to necessarily finish all the wines (keep the corks, so you can take what's left with you), but to enjoy the moments. After all, wine is about the moment. Enjoy yourselves and plan your next outing, maybe to a different vineyard, and possibly with a different basket of foods.Scott
