Wine tasting is a relaxed way to find out what you like. At a winery or tasting room you pay for a flight, a set of small pours that usually runs from lighter wines to fuller ones, and the person pouring tells you a little about each. You don't need to know anything going in. Asking questions is the whole point, and the staff usually love talking about what they make.

Wine country isn't the only option. Many areas have small local wineries, and cities have urban wineries, wine bars with tasting flights, and shops that pour samples on certain nights. Some wineries add vineyard tours, food pairings or live music, and many sit in beautiful countryside that's worth the trip by itself.

The Date Activity

A tasting is an easy, grown-up date. You sit side by side, compare notes, and there's no wrong answer about whether a wine tastes like cherries or old leather. Share a flight if you want to keep it light, and talk about what you actually like, not what you think you're supposed to like.

Stick to two or three wineries in a day, and plan a real meal in the middle; tasting on an empty stomach goes to your head fast. Many wineries let you picnic on the grounds, so pack one or pick up bread and cheese there. In some wine regions you can start the day with a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the vineyards. Or bring the flavors home and take a cooking class together another night.

On Your Own / With Friends

Wine tasting makes a great group outing, and the best way to do it is with a tour or a hired driver, so nobody has to stay sober for the drive home. Larger groups should book ahead, since many tasting rooms limit walk-in groups or take reservations only. Lay out the stops, lunch and the ride in the planner before you go.

Going alone is perfectly normal, especially sitting at the tasting bar, where staff have more time to talk and you'll often end up chatting with the people beside you.

Good to Know

You must be 21 or older, and you'll need ID. Choose a designated driver, book a tour or use a ride share, and drink plenty of water between stops. It's normal to taste and spit into the dump bucket, or to pour out what you don't want, and nobody will be offended. Skip strong perfume or cologne, which gets in the way of smelling the wine. Tasting fees are often waived or reduced if you buy a bottle. Weekdays are quieter than weekends, and many tasting rooms close in the late afternoon, so start early.