Wine tasting tips

[Cristi]

I am going to a wine tasting party this evening and have no idea of the proper protocol??? I enjoy wine, but am not sure of the "proper" way to taste wine. I realize wine tasting involoves sight, smell, and taste, but what is the process? Help???

[Thomas]

Look, sniff (swirl first) and then drink, or spit if you are at a "tasting" or if you do not like the wine; I assume you will be at a wine drinking event, so you can swallow.

[Kcwhippet]

A little late, but here's something I learned many years ago for tastings. It's the four S's - Swirl, Sniff, Sip and Spit. It's good advice when you're attending a large event like the Boston Wine Expo, but, as Foodie says, when you're at a small scale tasting you can certainly swallow.