William Pollard Jr | aka: Wild 4 Washington Wine

Can’t you smell that smell, Ooooh that smell? Runners’ preparing for a marathon must train, train, train; they must stay fit, a proper diet is important, appropriate equipment essential and an athlete must be focused on winning. I’m preparing for the Wine Blogger’s Conference in Charlottesville, Virginia. Do I have a preparation routine?

Wine Tasting Etiquette Planning a wine tasting trip to Washington State? You'll find a winery just about anyplace you visit in Washington these days; from Bainbridge Island, up to Lake Chelan, down to Richland and along the Columbia River Gorge. These eight wine tasting tips will enhance your next visit to the wineries of Washington Wine Country. Tip 1. It's Tasting not Drinking Going wine tasting is about tasting wine, not drinking. Some people you bump into at the wineries are going for volume - bad form and potentially dangerous. See Tip 4 below. Tip 2. The Tasting Fee Many wineries do have a tasting room fee of about $5. Be prepared to pay to taste - be thankful if the winery you visit has no tasting fee (some wineries may subtract the tasting fee from your purchase - bonus). Tip 3. Spitting is Okay at a Winery If you don't like the wine in your glass, you are not obligated to drink it. There should be a "dump bucket" on the counter ...