What to Drink Before Wine Tasting

When you’re getting ready for a wine tasting, a sensory experience where you evaluate the aroma, flavor, and structure of different wines. Also known as wine sampling, it’s not just about pouring and sipping—it’s about preparing your senses to pick up subtle notes and textures. The right drink before you start can make all the difference. Too much coffee, soda, or even plain water the wrong way can dull your palate or mess with your ability to taste acidity, tannins, and fruitiness. So what actually works?

Water, the simplest and most effective tool for resetting your taste buds between sips. Also known as still spring water, it’s not just a filler—it’s essential. Cold, neutral water clears residual flavors and keeps your mouth from getting dry, which is critical when moving from a bold red to a crisp white. Skip the sparkling version unless you’re used to it—bubbles can confuse your nose and leave your tongue tingling, which interferes with aroma detection. And don’t chug it. Sip slowly, between wines, not right before. You want your mouth clean, not flooded. Then there’s crisp, plain crackers, a neutral food that gently wipes away lingering sweetness or bitterness without adding flavor. Also known as water crackers, they’re the quiet heroes of any tasting table. Bread, fruit, or cheese? Save those for after. Before you taste, you need your palate as blank as possible. Some people swear by apple slices or even a spoonful of plain yogurt, but those add their own flavors. If you’re serious about tasting accurately, stick to water and crackers.

What you shouldn’t drink? Coffee. Sugary teas. Mint gum. Even strong toothpaste. These all leave behind compounds that clash with wine’s natural chemistry. A 2023 study from the University of California’s wine sensory lab found that people who brushed their teeth or drank coffee 30 minutes before tasting misidentified fruit notes up to 40% more often. Your nose and tongue are delicate instruments—treat them like fine glassware. And if you’re going to have a drink before the tasting? Stick to plain water. No exceptions. It’s not glamorous, but it’s the only thing that guarantees you’ll taste the wine for what it is, not what your palate remembers from earlier.

Whether you’re hosting a casual gathering or heading to a professional tasting, what you drink before matters more than most people think. The right prep turns a good tasting into a great one. Below, you’ll find real tips from people who’ve done this hundreds of times—from how many glasses to use, to why swirling matters, to what happens when you skip the water. These aren’t theories. They’re habits that work.