When attending the Grand Tasting at La Paulée de San Francisco, it’s a good idea to think about which wines you want to try in advance.
La Paulée de San Francisco, the Bay Area’s take on Burgundy’s traditional post-harvest celebration, takes place this year between February 27th and March 3rd. In order to make the most of your time at this unforgettable event, we have compiled a selection of helpful dos and don’ts:
- Don’t stress about what to wear—business casual attire is perfect for all daytime events, while business/cocktail attire is suitable for evening events.
- Don’t miss the Off-Grid Tasting—while it may not be as glamorous as some of the week’s other events, it is a great opportunity to discover off-the-beaten-path appellations, up-and-coming winemakers, and more.
- Do remember tasting etiquette for all events: skip the perfume or other heavily fragranced products, make room for fellow tasters at crowded tables, etc.—you know the drill.
- Don’t try to take detailed notes on every wine you taste! There are simply too many great wines and not enough time. Use the Vinfolio app for iOS to scan the label of any wine you want to remember later—you can add wines to your wishlist and record quick and convenient one-touch tasting notes.
- Do pace yourself at the Grand Tasting, especially if you plan to attend the Gala Dinner and After Party later in the evening! Remember to eat plenty of food throughout the day, drink lots of water, and of course, [at least some of the time] spit!
- Do have a plan for the Grand Tasting—it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to taste every wine! Review the list of participating wineries ahead of time and prioritize those you want to be sure not to miss. For bonus points, start by tasting all of the reds and finish with the whites—most people will be doing the opposite.
- Do bring Burgundy to the Gala Dinner, but don’t feel pressured to supply the rarest or most expensive bottle.
- Don’t get hung up on any one wine at the Gala Dinner—with so many amazing wines being opened, this is not the time to savor and contemplate!
- Don’t, on the other hand, allow yourself to experience too much wine-related FOMO—live in the moment, appreciate what is in your glass, and do not covet your neighbor’s wine. (Unless, of course, they offer you a taste!)
- Do make friends. La Paulée is about sharing great wine with like-minded oenophiles, so offer a taste of the bottle you brought, and graciously accept samples from strangers eager to share their treasured vintages. If you see something you would love to try, just ask!
