Do You Spit Out Wine at Tastings? Why, When, and How It Works

If you’ve ever watched a sommelier swirl wine in a fancy glass, slosh it around, and then—yep—spit it straight into a bucket, it probably looked a little weird. But there’s a solid reason behind it. Spitting at wine tastings isn’t a party foul; it’s actually how you keep your senses sharp after sampling a dozen glasses. You’re there to taste, not to stumble home or call a taxi for your kids.

Spitting lets you sample more wines and actually remember what you liked. It’s not about being snobby—trust me, even regular folks do it when they want to avoid a headache. The alcohol only hits hard after you swallow. By spitting, you still taste all the flavors, but you stay in control. Want to sound like you know what you’re doing at the next tasting? It’s completely normal to spit. That’s what those big ice bucket things on the table are for—not for chilling bottles.

• Why Do People Spit Out Wine?
• When Should You Spit—And When Not To?
• Tips for Spitting Without Drama
• What Happens if You Don’t Spit?
• How Professionals Taste Wine
• Common Questions and Odd Moments

Why Do People Spit Out Wine?

When it comes to wine tasting, you’ll spot people swirling a glass, taking a sip, and then—out it goes into a bucket. It may look strange at first, but there’s a really practical reason for this ritual. The main idea is to taste a variety of wines while keeping your head clear, especially if you’re hitting more than a couple of stops in one day. The typical tasting menu might have five or more wines per place, and the alcohol can sneak up quickly if you swallow them all.

The tongue and nose pick up most of wine’s flavors in the first few seconds. Swallowing doesn’t add much to the experience taste-wise, but it sure does ramp up your alcohol intake. Professionals, like sommeliers or wine judges, sometimes taste upwards of a hundred wines in a single day. If they swallowed each sip, they’d be out before lunch. Even for the rest of us, sipping and spitting helps us focus on the flavors and not worry about getting fuzzy or sleepy.

Besides, most serious tastings encourage you to spit. That’s why you’ll always see those shiny metal buckets (called spittoons) at every wine tasting table. Nobody is judging. It’s just how you do it if you want to try a wide selection and actually remember which ones were good.

The numbers make it clear: spitting means you can taste much more without the side effects. If you want to explore and learn, or you’re shopping for a bottle to bring home for dinner, spitting keeps your senses sharp. The point is to notice what you enjoy, not to walk out tipsy—especially if you’re picking up the kids or driving home afterward.

When Should You Spit—And When Not To?

Knowing when to spit wine at a wine tasting actually helps you get the most out of the experience. If you’re tasting several wines in one go—say, more than four or five glasses—spitting is just smart. Your taste buds need to stay fresh, and honestly, your head does too. Studies have shown that after about five tasting pours, your ability to notice flavors and aromas drops if you’re swallowing every sip. That’s even before you start feeling tipsy.

If you plan to drive, skip the swallowing entirely. Even small amounts add up. Legally, in most places, it doesn’t take much alcohol to put you over the limit. That’s why pros—like sommeliers, buyers, or judges—almost always spit, especially during big events or competitions where they taste fifty or more wines a day.

But hey, there are moments when swallowing is totally fine (and actually expected). If you’re just having a couple of glasses at a bar with friends, forget the spit bucket. Special vintage you’ve been dying to try? Enjoy the full experience, including swallowing. Also, if you’re celebrating or just wrapping up a tasting with your favorite pour of the day, it’s completely normal to savor the last sample.

• Spit if you’re tasting a lot of wines.
• Spit if you’re driving, at work, or need to stay sharp.
• Don’t worry about spitting if you’re just sampling one or two wines with lunch or dinner.
• Swallow if it’s a special occasion or you really love the wine.

Here’s a quick breakdown of how fast small tastings can add up, even if you’re just sipping:

So, the next time you get handed a glass, just ask yourself what you want out of the wine tasting—just a flavor adventure, or a night you may not remember? Choose based on your plans and how many pours are coming your way. That’s how the pros keep it fun, responsible, and still super tasty.

Tips for Spitting Without Drama

Okay, nobody wants to be that person who spits wine all over the table or ends up with splash-back on their shirt. But honestly, turning spitting into something normal is a total game changer at wine tasting events. Here’s how to nail it without embarrassing yourself—or your friends.

• Find the Spittoon First: Most tasting rooms have a dedicated bucket or metal can (the technical term is "spittoon"). They’re usually smack in the middle of the table or off to the side. If you don’t spot one, ask. No big deal. They’re expecting you to spit.
• Practice at Home: I’m not kidding. If you’ve never spat wine into a cup before, give it a whirl in your own kitchen sink with water first. You’ll figure out how hard to blow so it lands in the bucket, not on it.
• Angle is Everything: Lean in close to the spittoon. Keep your head over the bucket. A steady, confident spit works best—don’t dribble, don’t shoot like a water gun. Just a focused stream. Most pros aim for the side of the container to reduce splash.
• Wipe and Move On: If you miss (it happens to everyone eventually), don’t stress. Napkins are always nearby for a reason. Wipe and keep it moving—literally no judgment in a tasting room full of people sampling ten wines before lunch.
• Respect Others’ Comfort Zone: If sharing a spittoon at busy tastings, don’t crowd. Give folks a little space; no one’s judging your spit, but nobody wants wine backwash on their sleeve, either!

If you’re still feeling awkward, you’re not alone. According to industry surveys in 2024, roughly 40% of first-timers hesitate to spit because they think it’s rude or gross. But honestly, the more you go to wine tasting events, the less you care. Even top tasting etiquette guides agree: spitting is the norm, not the exception.

So, no need to be shy. You’re just playing it smart—and keeping a clear head for the next glass. Even if you feel weird at first, you’ll look like you belong after your first confident spit into that spittoon.

What Happens if You Don’t Spit?

If you skip spitting at a wine tasting, you’re in for a pretty quick buzz. Most people don’t realize that a standard tasting pour is about 2 ounces. Try five or six of those and you’ve basically downed a couple glasses of wine before you finish chatting to the person next to you. Even if you have a high tolerance, it doesn’t take long before your brain is foggy, your taste buds go dull, and you just can’t tell the difference between a chardonnay and a sauvignon blanc.

Alcohol builds up fast, especially with several tastings in a row. If you plan to visit more than one winery or want to keep your notes straight, swallowing everything just doesn’t work. I know folks who thought they were fine and ended up missing half the fun because they were tipsy by lunch.

Here’s what’s at stake if you don’t use the spit bucket:

• Your senses dull quickly. All that subtle oak and berry flavor? It’s lost after the third pour if you swallow every sample.
• Your memory gets fuzzy. Trying to remember your favorite wine from the fifth stop on a tour? Good luck if you’re halfway drunk.
• It’s easy to lose track of how much you’ve actually had. More than a few people have been surprised by how quickly it adds up.
• Driving is a real issue. It’s flat-out dangerous and could ruin your day (or worse).

Just to show how quickly alcohol can sneak up on you at a wine tasting, here’s a table:

Most standard wine glasses hold about 5 ounces. So, swigging all your tastings will have you drinking more than you planned—way more. If you’re there to actually enjoy and remember the different wine, spitting isn’t just okay; it’s kind of necessary.

How Professionals Taste Wine

If you’ve ever been in a room with real wine pros or read about their tasting routines, you’ll spot a pattern. They all follow a clear step-by-step process to make the most of every sip, and yes—they almost always spit at wine tastings. There’s a reason even world-class sommeliers don’t chug their way through a tasting. Let’s break down how they do it.

1. Look: First, they check the wine’s color and clarity. Hold it up to the light or over a white tablecloth. Color gives away the age and sometimes even the grape. Younger reds are usually more purple, while older ones turn brick-red.
2. Swirl: Swirling releases the wine’s aroma. This isn’t just a show-off move—smell is a huge part of taste. The more oxygen gets in, the more the wine opens up.
3. Sniff: Next, they give it a good sniff. Pros put their whole nose in the glass. This is where you pick up everything from berries in a Pinot Noir to wet stone in a Sauvignon Blanc. If someone’s really serious, they might sniff two or three times for different notes.
4. Sip (don’t gulp): They take a sip and let it roll around their mouth. The goal is to coat all the taste buds. Sometimes, they even slurp a little air through their teeth to release more flavor. Sounds awkward, but it works.
5. Spit: Here’s what separates pros from casual drinkers. After tasting, they spit into a special bucket or spittoon. They do this for every wine, even if they love it. This keeps their judgment sharp across dozens of pours.
6. Assess: Finally, they check what’s left in their mouth. Is it balanced? Was it too sweet, too sour, or a winner? They’ll often jot a few notes or score the wine.

Ever wonder how many wines the average pro samples in a day? At bigger tasting events, it’s not unusual to taste 50-100 wines. Without spitting, that would mean drinking anywhere from 2-4 full bottles. Nobody's liver can handle that safely. That’s another reason why spit wine etiquette is part of the job.

If you find it intimidating, just know the pros weren’t born knowing how to do this. They learned by practicing, making awkward faces, and asking loads of questions. Even Jancis Robinson, one of the best-known wine writers, has admitted she still writes her tasting notes with little stars and exclamation marks. The system doesn’t have to be fancy—just clear and honest for you.

Common Questions and Odd Moments

People who are new to wine tasting always have a bunch of questions about spitting. So, what if you feel awkward? Do you have to spit every time? Let’s clear up a few real-life questions and weird things that come up.

• Is it rude to spit?—Absolutely not. At pretty much every winery, especially in regions like Napa or Bordeaux, staff expect you to spit during tasting flights. You’re far more likely to get a look if you start acting tipsy than if you politely use the spit bucket.
• What if I swallow by accident?—No worries! One slip doesn’t ruin your experience or badge you as an amateur. Just keep going—it happens to everyone. If you’re driving, pace yourself and drink lots of water.
• How do I spit without making a mess?—It does take a little practice. Lean over the bucket, purse your lips and spit in a short, quick burst. Most people miss once or twice, especially after a long day of tasting. The staff have seen it all, trust me. Bring tissues—nothing ruins your vibe like a rogue droplet on your shirt.
• Do kids ever ask why adults spit out wine?—If your kids tag along at family-friendly wineries, they’ll probably ask and then lose interest fast. I’ve told Keira, “It’s to taste more things without feeling sick,” and that did the trick.
• Is there ever pressure to swallow?—At casual tastings or parties, friends might joke that spitting is wasting good wine. Ignore the peer pressure. If you have a lot to taste, stick with spitting—you’ll thank yourself when you still remember which wine you liked best.

A surprising fact is that most professional wine tasting events pour only 30-50ml (about two sips) per sample. Check out these numbers from official guidelines:

What do you do if there’s no spit bucket in sight? Just ask! It’s common and nobody will think twice. Or if all else fails, use a plastic cup. Spitting isn’t glamorous, but neither is stumbling out of a tasting room. And if you ever get the giggles or dribble a little, don’t sweat it—everyone does at some point!