Wine tasting is one of our most popular services. Since we are located in Northern California, we are in close proximity to the famed Napa/Sonoma wine country. This is where many of America’s most popular wineries are located. Silver Oak, Caymus, Duckhorn, Jordan Vineyard, Louis Martini and many others are located in this region.
There are so many wineries in the area that it would be impossible to see all of them in a day, a week or even a month. From the big wineries mentioned above to hundreds of small boutique wineries, we know the area and we know wine. These are merely two benefits of hiring us for a wine tasting experience. The most important benefit is safety. With so many wines to sample, it is likely you will become inebriated. A single drunk driving arrest can cost as much as $18,000 with fines, assessments and attorney’s fees.
Hiring us to take you wine tasting is simply a smart choice since we have relationships with many of the wineries in the area. Our professional chauffeurs know the area well and we will tailor your trip to your specific desires. If you are fan of light, crisp, white wines, we’ll take you to the best of the best that produce white wine. If your preference is more for a bold Cabernet, we’ll deliver you to Jordan Vineyards where you will experience a tasting room like no other in the area. If you are looking for a combination of white and red from a boutique company, we’ll deliver you to the doors of Simi Winery and their small, quaint tasting room. There is something for everyone when wine tasting and we will deliver the experience you are looking for.
Wine tours are a favorite group activity for many occasions such as corporate events, bachelor parties and birthdays. We provide wine tour service using sedans, SUVs, limos, and buses. No matter what size your group is, we will provide an exciting day of wine tasting.
In our experience, many people are wine tasting for the first time or don’t have much experience with it. Use the tips below to educate yourself before the trip:
No Heavy Meals
Because you are going to be filling your belly with liquid, heavy breakfasts and lunches should be avoided. Instead, have a light snack beforehand, avoid rich or flavorful items that might affect your palate or leave you feeling bloated.
Snacking
If cheese is offered with your wine tasting experience, eat it! The acidity in cheese will help refresh your palate. Wine in a tasting room is usually poured with the lightest wine first and progresses to the more rich, bold and flavorful wines as you progress through what is known as the “flight of wines” being sampled. The bigger a wine’s flavor, the more it desensitizes the palate. It is important to snack between wineries since you will likely be starting over with a light wine and the flavors could be lost without a palate cleansing.
Do Not Drink What You Prefer
If you are making your wine tour a day of drinking, choose what you like. However, if you want to expand your palate tastes with other varietals of wine, try new things. Perhaps you have never tried a Charbono or a Malbec. Instead of comparing them to your favorite wine style, appreciate the taste of something new and expand your palate. Wines can impart many flavors such as oak, vanilla, cinnamon and even tobacco. Expand your horizon. What do you taste?
Taste Like a Pro
Tasting wine is a process of evaluation. With a little knowledge you can enjoy the experience like a pro. Swirl the wine in the glass. The flow will show the viscosity or heaviness of the wine. If it moves like milk, it is likely a much richer, more viscus wine than if it simply looks like water. Smell the wine immediately before your first taste. Know what you are about to put in your mouth.
After reading this blog, you probably are eager to go test your new wine tasting skills. This weekend is the perfect time to enjoy some vino. Whether you are looking for a romantic day for two in a sedan or plan to bring 30 of your friends along, Ecko Worldwide Transportation and our sister company, California Limo Wine Tours are ready to whisk you a way for a fun day. Reserve today by calling 877-FLY-ECKO.