At a wine tasting, you typically drink between 150 and 300 ml of wine, depending on the number of wines tasted and the size of the tasting portions. A standard tasting consists of 4-6 wines with 25-50 ml tasting portions per glass. This amounts to about 1-2 standard glasses of wine in total, allowing you to experience the different flavors without consuming excessive alcohol.

What is the standard quantity per tasting glass?

The typical amount of wine per tasting glass ranges from 25 to 50 ml, significantly less than a standard 150 ml glass of wine. These smaller portions allow you to sample multiple wines without overwhelming your palate or consuming too much alcohol. Professional tastings often opt for 25-30 ml, while informal tastings tend towards 40-50 ml.

Dutch wineries and tasting rooms consistently apply this international standard. In a atmospheric wine cellar In Amsterdam city center, for example, tasting portions of approximately 35-40 ml are served, which is perfect for discovering the complex aromas of Dutch quality wines. This amount provides enough wine to assess the color, savor the aroma, and take several sips to experience the flavor evolution.

The difference from regular glasses is a deliberate choice. While you might pour a 150-200 ml glass at home, the smaller tasting portions allow you to stay sharp and detect subtle differences between wines. This approach allows you to explore a wide range of wines in a single session without tiring your palate.

How many different wines do you taste on average during a session?

The number of wines tasted during a tasting typically ranges from 4 to 12, with 5-6 wines being the most common. Basic tastings often start with 4-5 wines, while more extensive themed tastings can include up to 8-12 different wines. The length of the session, the chosen theme, and the setting determine how many wines are tasted.

A standard wine tasting of about two hours typically involves tasting 5-6 wines. This number offers the perfect balance between variety and depth. You'll have plenty of time to carefully savor each wine, ask the sommelier questions, and discover the differences between the wines. For company outings or team-building activities, slightly longer sessions of 2.5-3 hours are often booked, with 6-8 wines being tasted.

The structure of a tasting usually follows a logical sequence: from light to full, from dry to sweet, from white to red. Dutch wine tastings You often see a lovely mix of white wines, rosés, orange wines, and red wines. This diversity demonstrates how versatile Dutch wine production has become, with more than 170 vineyards producing quality wines.

Special themed tastings can include multiple wines. Think of vertical tastings (different vintages of the same wine) or horizontal tastings (different wines from the same year). These sessions are often longer and are intended for more experienced wine lovers who want to delve deeper.

Why do you spit out wine at professional tastings?

Spitting out wine during professional tastings is essential for keeping your palate sharp and minimizing alcohol effects. Professionals spit because they have to evaluate dozens of wines a day and their judgment must remain clear. For consumers, spitting is especially useful for tastings with more than eight wines or when driving.

The technique of spitting has nothing to do with the quality of the wine, but everything to do with preserving your sense of taste. When you swallow alcohol, it gradually affects your taste perception, making it harder to distinguish subtle nuances. Spitting allows you to experience the full flavor—the wine touches every part of your mouth—without the negative effects of alcohol.

In practice, spitting is most common at professional tastings, wine tastings, and trade fairs. Spitting is less common at private wine tastings, but it is accepted and facilitated. Good tasting rooms always have spittoons available for those who wish. It's important to know that during a tasting, you can experience all the flavor components without swallowing, because the taste buds are located in your mouth, not your throat.

How much alcohol do you actually consume at a wine tasting?

The total alcohol intake during a standard wine tasting with 5-6 wines and 35-40 ml tasting portions is between 175-240 ml of wine. This equates to approximately 1.2 to 1.6 standard glasses of wine. At an average alcohol content of 12.5%, you would therefore consume 22-30 ml of pure alcohol, equivalent to 2-3 standard alcohol units.

To put this into perspective, a normal 150ml glass of wine contains approximately 1.5 units of alcohol. A complete wine tasting with 5 wines 40 ml per glass therefore yields less alcohol than two standard glasses of wine in a restaurant. This makes a tasting a responsible way to discover different wines without excessive alcohol consumption.

For more extensive tastings with 8-10 wines, the total amount can reach 320-400 ml, which equates to 2-2.5 standard glasses. Here, it's important to pace yourself, drink plenty of water, and enjoy the snacks provided. Professional sommeliers recommend spitting out some of the wine during longer sessions, especially those that are less appealing.

A few practical guidelines apply for a responsible wine tasting: eat a good meal beforehand, drink water between wines, and plan your transportation in advance. Most tasting rooms in city centers are deliberately easily accessible by public transport, so you don't have to drive.

What are the unwritten rules for water and food during tasting?

Water plays a crucial role in wine tastings and should be consumed between each wine to neutralize your taste buds. Drink small sips of room-temperature water, not ice-cold water that can numb your palate. Bread, especially a baguette without additives, is the classic flavor neutralizer that resets your palate between wines.

The wine tasting etiquette prescribes that you first drink water, then perhaps eat a piece of bland bread, before starting the next wine. Cheese and charcuterie are usually served after the tasting or between flights, as these strong flavors can affect your palate. Dutch tasting rooms often serve local cheeses and artisanal sausages, but timing is essential.

The pace of your tasting is at least as important as what you eat and drink. Spend at least 10-15 minutes per wine to discover all its aspects: color, aroma, flavor, and finish. Don't rush from one wine to the next. Professional sommeliers recommend taking a longer break after every three wines to enjoy something substantial, such as olives, nuts, or a small bite of cheese.

A final unwritten rule concerns the order of consumption: water first, then bread, never the other way around. Breadcrumbs in your water glass are not only unappetizing but also inappropriate. Avoid spicy snacks during the tasting and save spicy or salty snacks for afterward.

A thoughtful wine tasting offers the perfect balance between discovery and enjoyment. With the right knowledge about portion sizes, wine quantities, and wine etiquette, you'll get the most out of your tasting experience. Whether you choose an intimate tasting of quality Dutch wines in a historic wine cellar or a more extensive session on location, the combination of moderate portion sizes and mindful tasting creates an unforgettable experience. Want to discover the fascinating world of Dutch wines for yourself? A professionally guided tasting in the heart of Amsterdam offers the ideal introduction to our growing wine culture.