Spitting out wine during tasting: Advantages and disadvantages of this oenological practice

Wine tasting is a subtle art that takes practice and technique. As wine lovers, we have often wondered whether it is really necessary to spit out wine during a tasting session. Although controversial, this practice has undeniable advantages for enthusiasts and professionals alike. Let us explore the different aspects of this tasting technique together.

Why spit out wine: an essential practice

Spitting out wine may seem counter-intuitive, even sacrilegious to some. Yet this practice is essential in certain circumstances, particularly during intensive tastings. It is not unusual to taste more than 100 different cuvées in a single day at professional events or trade fairs.

The main purpose of spitting out wine is to preserve your sensory faculties throughout the tasting. The alcohol in wine can quickly affect our judgement and our perception of aromas if we swallow it every time. By spitting, we allow our taste buds and our brain to stay alert, ensuring a finer and more objective analysis of each sample.

It is important to note that tasting focuses mainly on olfactory and gustatory sensations. Contrary to what you might think, swallowing the wine does not provide any significant additional information. In fact, retro-olfaction (perceiving aromas retronasally) is often more intense when the wine is spat out.

Technique and etiquette: the art of spitting with elegance

Spitting out wine is not a natural gesture and may seem rather inelegant at first. Yet with practice, you can master this technique with complete discretion. Here are a few tips to perfect your technique:

• Bring the spittoon close to your mouth rather than aiming from a distance
• Gather the liquid at the front of your mouth, behind your teeth
• Expel the wine in one go, blowing gently
• Practise at home, for example while brushing your teeth

As experienced sommeliers, we have found that mastering this technique not only avoids embarrassing splashes but also helps you feel more at ease during professional tastings. Don't hesitate to practise regularly to build your confidence.

Advantages and disadvantages of spitting out wine

Like any practice, spitting out wine has advantages and disadvantages worth weighing up. Here is a summary table to help you see things more clearly:

It is worth noting that, according to a 2019 study by the Institut Français de la Vigne et du Vin, 78% of industry professionals consider spitting an essential practice during blind tastings.

When to spit and when to savour?

Although spitting is an essential technique for professional tastings, it is not always necessary or desirable to spit out wine. As vineyard adventurers, we have learnt to distinguish the situations where spitting is appropriate from those where it is better to fully savour the wine.

Here are a few situations where spitting is recommended:

1. At professional tastings or trade fairs
2. During learning and training sessions
3. When you have to drive after the tasting
4. When you are tasting a large number of different wines

On the other hand, at meals with friends, at casual tastings or when you want to fully enjoy an exceptional wine, it is perfectly acceptable and even recommended to swallow it. What matters is finding the right balance between sensory analysis and the pleasure of tasting.

Ultimately, the decision whether or not to spit out wine depends on the context, your goals and your personal experience. Whatever your approach, remember that wine tasting is above all an enriching sensory experience that deserves to be fully lived and enjoyed.