Speed tasting. It’s like speed dating, but with wine. (I know, right? score!)
For anyone who has attended a speed-wine-tasting event, you know the drill: hundreds of tasters seated at dozens of banquet tables scattered around a room, getting introduced to a new wine and winery every five (5!) minutes. That’s right – every five minutes. For an hour. Spittoon, please.
There’s a method to help with the pouring madness. After observing and participating in a few tastings of this sort, I have a few handy tips for wineries to help you out at the 2013 Wine Blogger’s Conference or any other crazy speed-tasting.
Live Wine Blogging at WBC12 in Portland, OR
1. Don’t go alone. If at all possible, have one person pour and another introduce the wine while handing out tech or information sheets. The bloggers appreciate the info when reviewing their notes after a 12 hour day. (I did)
2. Give it up. Yes, we’re all aware of our carbon footprint. But handouts are stellar: tech sheets, with logos and all the juicy tidbits (including social media channels). We’ll plant a few trees later.
3. Be social. On the media, that is. Have Twitter handles at the ready. In fact, plaster them all over you – not only will you get the message out, it’ll make for great photo-ops.
Kathleen of Between the Vines gets a taste of Oregon.
4. Smile for the camera. Be ready to have your photo taken – often. Pour with the label facing the blogger so s/he can snap a great pic. Better yet, have an extra (empty) to pass around the table. (just remember to take it with you)
5. Take questions. You’ll be repeating the same words 12 times that hour. Maybe you can add one new piece of info at each table – from answering just one question. Way to bond.
Bradley Cooper (Okanagan version) gets info from a happy Oregon winery rep.
6. …and take it outside. Have a business card at the ready – no rushing to answer longer questions, it spreads the blogger love around, and it shows you really want to engage with them. You do, right?
Above all, have fun! This is a room full of people absolutely stoked to be here. They chose to come – and that’s really cool.
See you in the <hiccup> tasting room.
~ Jeannette
