bern's winefest | wine tasting event do's and dont's
Monday, April 29, 2013 at 5:00AM Share Article Bern's Winefest celebrated it's 16th year on April 21, 2013; lucky me was invited to join in the festivities by Mr. Styleosophy.
Who doesn't like tasting a multitude of wines with hors d'oeuvres followed up by a handmade-chocolates and dessert bar?
I wondered, "what should I wear", which quickly went to "who will drive us home?"
What I figured out was the second question mattered way more than the first.
My do's and don'ts apply to events for more than 100 attendees. It's the little things that matter with larger events.
Do get a hotel room if you do not live close the venue. Catch a cab to the event and back. Spend the night, make it a weekend. And:
Do not drive and drink. Do not drive to the event, park your car, go in and drink for several hours and then drive somewhere else. Take a cab. Or designate a driver. There were police officers everywhere on site. One had to wonder how much the afternoon was really going to cost, DUI's are expensive. We met a guy who is a complete oenophile, so much so his wife trusts his judgement in all things wine. She drops him off and picks him up after wine fests. He said she "was over it, the crowds, the noise, etc." Nothing like a built-in designated driver.
Do wear comfortable (hopefully stylish) shoes. Don't do like I did and wear these:
You will be standing, and walking, and standing and walking. Seating will likely be minimal as they want people to freely move from station to station tasting as much as possible.
Do switch to a purse that functions on it's own, such as a crossbody or clutch with a wrist strap. Leave the regular totes at home. You won't need all that lipstick anyway. Any bag that leaves both hands free is exactly what you need during a winefest; you will need your hands free for eating and drinking. Or wear an outfit with pockets to carry essentials.
Do take one of these. It will make drinking and eating much easier.
Don't use the wine lanyard. Breasts get in the way, conversation is flowing, you provide an animated movement and bam, your date is looking for club soda after your wine tipped over onto your beautiful outfit.
Do listen to folks who tell you what's good. It can be a timesaver.
Do eat a little before you arrive. Vegetarians especially as you never know how the food was prepared and in the crush to find something edible, a chef may not be on hand to answer questions.
Do you have any winefest tips?
