Appropriate/stylish dress for women at a tasting?

[rachel_mcdonald]

I haven’t been Napa but based on places I’ve been to in the NW, I’m sure casual is fine. My recommendations are to wear comfortable shoes because she’ll be standing a lot of the day. Also a light sweater or jacket is smart in case you do barrel tasting in a cool cellar. You can always leave it in the car, but bring one. I can totally understand her concern, because women in our society tend to be judged much more on appearance than men do. Sorry, it’s just a fact.

[Brian_G_r_a_f_s_t_r_o_m]

@Linda Baehr

@Brian G r a f s t r o m

I’ve gone to many “hipster” or “trendy” L.A. bars where I felt similarly uncomfortable while wearing nice jeans, a t-shirt, and a baseball cap.

Even with the Opeth shirt?

And the Detroit Tigers cap!!! Un-freaking-real, I tell ya’!

[GregT]

Stephanie - great post. Linda too.

Are we really at a point where one has to worry about what to wear to visit a winery?

Jeans, shoes that can get muddy or dirty, etc. Wineries are farms aren’t they? So just wear something practical and comfortable. Ian - I hope you put her off the idea that it’s all that special she’s got to buy a new outfit. After all, don’t you want to spend that money on wine?!

[Poppy_Davis]

We had a guy show up to our auction tonight in flip-flops, t-shirt and shorts. No one gave him a second glance. I think the stuffiness and formality of wine is going away very quickly.

[RS_Beck]

I’ve gone wine tasting in Bordeaux and no one made me wear slacks or sport coat.

Pichon Lalande. We made an appointment, showed up at the appointed time and found we were the only visitors. Turned out, that’s the way they do it. You schedule an appointment and your group is the only one they host during that time. I brought my wife and our young children.

Unlike the stereotype, and pretty much like every establishment we visited in France, they were very hospitable to and indulgent with children.

At the end of the tour, we were taken to a tasting room where they popped several vintages for us to try.

When we let our 5 year old taste, she reported very enthusiastically, “very nice!” Then, apologetic, “but, a little sour.”

Our hosts laughed along with us.

There was nothing stuffy or hoity-toity about any part of the visit.

[RS_Beck]

If I could add one other piece of advice to your wife – in addition to avoiding scent, avoid wearing lipstick.

These are offered for purely practical reasons.

I think this is much like the much parodied habit of swirling and swishing, inhaling air through the wine in one’s mouth, etc.

It probably looks pretentious to those who are unfamiliar with the reasons behind the practice – and I’ve known people who refuse to swirl, swish and inhale for that reason alone – but, again, there are very practical reasons to do it – if you’re trying to appreciate the wine before you.

[RS_Beck]

One of my favorite moments in the move Sideways is the one where Miles finds a wine he really appreciates, offers his glass to the Thomas Haden Church character, who takes a big gulp (no swishing, swirling or inhaling) and exclaims, “Yeah, this is good!” Miles watches him for a few moments afterwards and then glares incredulously, “ARE YOU CHEWING GUM?!!”

[Brian_G_r_a_f_s_t_r_o_m]

@P. Davis

We had a guy show up to our auction tonight in flip-flops, t-shirt and shorts. No one gave him a second glance. I think the stuffiness and formality of wine is going away very quickly.

Was the auction in Venice or Santa Monica?

[Ken_V]

Story I heard about Lenny Dykstra near the end of his baseball career (when he still had money). He showed up at La Tour D’Argent wearing a baseball jacket and cap. They insisted he take off the cap and put on a sport jacket. He complained, but they insisted. After he ordered dinner and $10,000 worth of wine, they brought him back his cap and put it on him.

[Cris_Whetstone]

@Brian G r a f s t r o m

@P. Davis

We had a guy show up to our auction tonight in flip-flops, t-shirt and shorts. No one gave him a second glance. I think the stuffiness and formality of wine is going away very quickly.

Was the auction in Venice or Santa Monica?

I was gonna say this is a SoCal thing and not a wine thing.

[Bob_Wood]

@Cris Whetstone

@Brian G r a f s t r o m

@P. Davis

We had a guy show up to our auction tonight in flip-flops, t-shirt and shorts. No one gave him a second glance. I think the stuffiness and formality of wine is going away very quickly.

Was the auction in Venice or Santa Monica?

I was gonna say this is a SoCal thing and not a wine thing.

Certainly. If it were Portland the flip-flops would be Birkenstocks.

[Paul_Luckin]

for men - don’t dress like a hobo
for women - don’t dress like a street-walker

for both - don’t stink

[G_Keeler]

@Brian G r a f s t r o m

Bdx. comes to mind immediately — guys are expected to wear slacks and a jacket while tasting wine in Bdx.! Gimme a f*cking break.

Brian, have you been to Bordeaux? We didn’t experience that at all. Our entire group wore nice jeans and a polo and felt perfectly dressed at each Chateau we visited. Come to think of it, I believe our host at Lafite was wearing jeans as well.

[Paul_Romero]

@Ian P.

@maureen nelson

whatever she’ll be comfortable in in light of the weather and the potential that you might be either standing around a bunch or tramping through the vineyards. This is not a dressy place. Key is comfort - and no scent!

That is a terrific summary of what I told her. She just rolled her eyes at me. I am sure it will go over better coming from a lady. Thank you!!

Ian do you have a visit anywhere with a woman winemaker or even assistant winemaker? Stefania actually gets this same question from guys in your spot 3-4 times a summer. If you send a note and get a reply direct from the winery you’ll likely get the same response you’ve seen here and that should help out with the eye rolling.

[Peter_Simpson]

@Brian G r a f s t r o m

@P. Davis

We had a guy show up to our auction tonight in flip-flops, t-shirt and shorts. No one gave him a second glance. I think the stuffiness and formality of wine is going away very quickly.

Was the auction in Venice or Santa Monica?

I doubt it was in North Yorkshire.

[Keith_Levenberg]

@Victor Hong

In the sailing crowd, you can always tell who is a new girlfriend. She is the one at the post-race party who
just had assembled a new cruise-wear outfit at Saks Fifth Avenue for the occasion, consisting of a Ralph
Lauren navy-themed dress, high-heel shoes (black soles, no less), and enough jewelry to function as Coast
Guard-approved radar reflectors.
Meanwhile, everyone else—including the new boyfriend----is in khaki shorts or bib overalls, a T-shirt, and
five hours worth of sweat, sunscreen, seawater, and blood.

Boom year at the noodle shop, Victor?

[Brian_G_r_a_f_s_t_r_o_m]

@Glenn Keeler

@Brian G r a f s t r o m

Bdx. comes to mind immediately — guys are expected to wear slacks and a jacket while tasting wine in Bdx.! Gimme a f*cking break.

Brian, have you been to Bordeaux? …

Yes.

I’m glad your experience with more casual dress was well-met.

[Frank_Drew]

IMO, for most indoor situations you simply need to lose the baseball cap (or any hat).

[Nancy_Dolce]

Funny thread with good advice sprinkled between the mirth. Ian, if you Google “Napa wine tasting” and then go to the “images” tab, you will see many pictures that show casually dressed people. That will give you wife a better sense of what to expect. Can’t wait to read a report after the fact!

Or you could show her this site… http://blog.thefind.com/2010/05/what-to-wear-wine-tasting/

And buy her $625 wedge sandals!

[David_Glasser]

I think Riedel needs to get in on this. A clothing line for Cab tasting, another for Pinot, one for Merlot, Bdx Blends, Zin, Chard, etc. And several options in each line for tasting the regular bottlings vs the reserve. Wineries will have to put in changing rooms so guests can switch outfits between flights.