The following started as a comment to this post, but I realized I that I was not going to get credit for it that way, so I am making it a post…! Thanks Bill for the inspiration, and best of results on your diet! To the subject at hand:

1. Please get over the fact that the winery personnel will be offended if you A) spit your wine; or B) pour unconsumed wine into the dump bucket. To the contrary, we will RESPECT you for it! Or at least the good wineries will.

2. It may interest folks to know that, last year the CA ABC ruled that a one ounce pour was sufficient to ascertain the quality of a wine. It’s good to know that the experts at the ABC are watching out for us. (We actually pour only 5/8 of an ounce, but we pour into Riedel stemware. We think that presents our wine the best.)

3. Any winery worth its crackers will have a supply of those red plastic beer cups behind the bar that are perfect for discrete spitting. Ask.

4. It’s actually not that hard to aim a good spit, and it is not necessary to demonstrate exquisite artistry in your execution (a perfect parabolic arc is not required.) Even pros will bend over a strip drain to make sure they hit their target. If you get 80% or 90% on target, you’re a pro!

5. If what you are tasting is so good you are practically soiling yourself with ecstasy, for pete’s sake SWALLOW! Life is too short to spit the good %@#$!

6. I should probably say something about actually tasting the wine. Take a decent amount in - not a mouthful but what would be an honest swallow. Swirl it a bit, and then slurp in just a little bit of air (gently!) Swallow a teeny bit just to coat the back palate, and then spit out the rest.

If you do this, you will find you can taste all day. Just a week ago friday MORNING we plowed thru about 40 barrel samples at a winery in El Dorado County (thanks Marco!) and never caught a buzz. If I can do it so can you!