Wine Tour Pro Reveals The 3 Dead Giveaways You're Being A Wine Snob

Wine tour expert identifies three common behaviors that scream ‘wine snob’ and how to avoid them.

Learn the difference between appreciating wine and alienating everyone around you with overblown terminology and corrections.

Expert explains how simple changes can help you enjoy wine culture without the intimidation factor

Wine tourism is booming across America, with more people than ever exploring vineyard trails and tasting rooms from Napa to the Finger Lakes. 

But there's a fine line between wine appreciation and wine snobbery, and crossing it can turn a fun afternoon into an awkward lesson in pretension.

“I've seen it countless times during our tours,” John Kelliher of Grapeline Wine Tours, which has been guiding wine enthusiasts through California's premier wine regions since 2002, told That's Food and Drink.

“Someone wants to show they know about wine, but they end up making everyone else feel uncomfortable or intimidated.”

Kelliher has identified three telltale behaviours that instantly mark someone as a wine snob, and more importantly, how to enjoy wine without alienating your fellow tasters.

The 3 Wine Snob Red Flags

1. Overusing Wine Jargon Like You're Writing Poetry

Nothing kills the vibe faster than someone describing a simple Chardonnay as having “notes of honeyed stone fruit with mineral undertones and a lingering finish that speaks to the terroir's unique expression.”

“When someone starts throwing around terms like ‘mouthfeel’ and ‘tertiary aromas’ for every sip, it's pretty obvious they're trying too hard,” Kelliher explains.

“Real wine knowledge doesn’t mean using the fanciest words. Rather, it’s about helping people connect with what they're tasting.”

The better approach? Keep it simple and relatable. Instead of “mineral undertones”, try “crisp and clean”. Rather than “full-bodied with robust tannins”, say “rich and smooth”. Your fellow tasters will understand what you mean, and you'll sound confident rather than pretentious.

“I tell our guests to describe wine the way they'd describe food to a friend,” Kelliher notes. “If it reminds you of green apples or vanilla, say that. Don't feel like you need a sommelier's vocabulary to enjoy a glass.”

2. Playing Wine Police With Everyone Else's Choices

We've all met that person who can't resist correcting others' wine preferences or techniques. They're the ones who'll interrupt your conversation to inform you that you're holding your glass wrong, or that your taste buds are “underdeveloped” if you prefer sweeter wines.

“The fastest way to ruin everyone's experience is to become the wine police,” Kelliher states. “I've watched people completely shut down because someone made them feel stupid for liking what they like.”

This includes the classic snob move of dismissing entire categories of wine. You know the type: they'll wrinkle their nose at anything that isn't a “serious” vintage or make comments about how “real wine lovers” don't drink rosé.

Instead, try being curious about other people's preferences. Ask what they enjoy about a particular wine rather than explaining why they're wrong. “Some of the most interesting conversations I've had on tours started with someone saying they usually hate reds, then finding one they loved,” Kelliher recalls.

3. Turning Every Sip Into A Performance

Perhaps the most cringe-worthy wine snob behavior is the theatrical tasting ritual. These are the people who swirl aggressively, take multiple loud sniffs, and make exaggerated facial expressions while “analysing” each wine as if they're performing for an audience.

“There's a difference between properly tasting wine and putting on a show,” Kelliher observes. “When someone's making a big production out of every sip, it's usually more about trying to appear knowledgeable than actually enjoying the wine.”

The over-the-top tasting performance often includes unnecessary commentary about every sensation, from the “initial attack on the palate” to the “evolution of flavours across the mid-palate.” It's exhausting to watch and even more exhausting to listen to.

“Good wine tasting is actually pretty subtle,” Kelliher explains. “A gentle swirl, a quick smell, and a thoughtful sip. You don't need to make it look like you're conducting an orchestra.”

The goal should be appreciation over performance. Take your time with the wine, but don't make everyone else wait while you go through an elaborate ritual that adds nothing to anyone's experience.

John went on to tell us: “Wine culture has this reputation for being intimidating, and honestly, a lot of that comes from people who think they need to prove how much they know. I've been doing this for over two decades, and the best wine experiences happen when everyone feels comfortable exploring and asking questions.

“The truth is, wine's are meant to be enjoyed, not analysed to death. Some of my favorite moments on tours are when someone discovers they actually love a wine they thought they'd hate, or when a group starts laughing about how different everyone's taste preferences are. That's what wine culture should be about – connection and discovery, not performance.

“My advice to anyone stepping into wine country is simple: be curious, be respectful of other people's preferences, and don't be afraid to admit when you don't know something. The best wine conversations I've ever had started with someone saying ‘I have no idea what I'm supposed to be tasting here’. That honesty opens doors to real learning and genuine enjoyment.”

You can learn more about their Californian wine tours by visiting them at gogrape.com.

FACTFILE:

Grapeline Wine Tours offers wine tasting tours and transportation throughout California's most celebrated wine regions: Temecula, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, Sonoma, and Napa. Founded in 2002, the company is known for its top-tier hospitality, expert hosts, and thoughtfully planned itineraries. Grapeline provides wine country tours designed for enjoyment, connection, and discovery, ideal for both first-time tasters and seasoned wine enthusiasts.

Why Pubs, Restaurants and Hotels Should Partner with Local Brewers, Vineyards and Cider Makers

In an era where customers value authenticity, sustainability, and local flavour, there’s never been a better time for pubs, restaurants, and hotels to forge strong relationships with local brewers, vineyards, and cider makers.

By stocking and promoting local beverages, venues don’t just diversify their drink menus – they also support the regional economy, reduce their carbon footprint, and create a more memorable experience for their customers.

Local Means Unique

Customers love trying something they can’t get at home. Local beers, wines, and ciders often have a distinctive character that big-brand labels can’t replicate. These drinks are made with local ingredients, shaped by local traditions, and often inspired by the surrounding landscape.

When you pour a local ale or serve a regional wine, you’re telling a story in every glass – and diners will remember it.

Supporting Local Builds Relationships (and Reputation)

By stocking locally-made beverages, you:

Support independent producers who are passionate about their craft

Build community goodwill

Create opportunities for co-marketing and events, such as:

Meet-the-maker nights

Local drink and food pairing menus

Seasonal tasting boards

It shows your establishment is rooted in its community, not just operating in it.

Sustainability Sells

Sourcing locally cuts down on transport emissions, plastic waste, and complex logistics. It also aligns with the growing demand for eco-conscious dining and drinking.

Promoting your use of local products is a selling point, especially with younger, environmentally-aware customers.

Tips for Sourcing Local Beverages

Visit local farmers’ markets and food festivals – a great way to discover up-and-coming producers.

Network with your local chamber of commerce or tourism board – they often have directories of artisan producers.

Contact nearby microbreweries, vineyards, or cideries directly – many are happy to offer samples and tailored supply agreements.

Work together on co-branded promotions – for example, "Friday Fish & Fizz" with a sparkling English wine.

The Business Benefits

Higher margins on small-batch products

Potential for exclusive rights to serve or stock certain lines

Differentiation in a competitive hospitality market

A richer, more authentic brand story to tell on your menus and socials

Start with These UK-Based Producers

Here are just a few examples of local suppliers you could reach out to (based on region):

South West: Sandford Orchards (Devon), Camel Valley Vineyard (Cornwall), St Austell Brewery

North: Wold Top Brewery (Yorkshire), Three Brothers Cider (Durham), Ryedale Vineyards

Midlands: Church Farm Brewery (Warwickshire), Halfpenny Green Wine Estate

London & South East: Chapel Down (Kent), Big Drop Brewing (non-alcoholic craft beer), Nightingale Cider (Kent)

Wales: Gwynt y Ddraig Cider, Tiny Rebel Brewery

Scotland: Thistly Cross Cider, Eden Mill Brewery & Distillery, Cairn o’ Mohr Wines

Northern Ireland: Tempted Cider, Whitewater Brewery

Final Thoughts

Stocking local drinks is about more than just ticking a “support local” box. It adds flavour – literally and figuratively – to your offering, strengthens your brand, and can drive footfall from both locals and tourists alike.

So raise a glass to your region – and start your local sourcing journey today.

Devon's Top Food and Drink Experiences to Enjoy This Summer

Want to learn more about your favourite Devon food and drink, meet the producers, taste their creations, make your own and learn some new skills?

Whatever your favourite tipple or your favourite pastime, there's a masterclass or guided tasting to suit everyone. 

Dip into chocolate making. Explore the spirit world. Get hands-on in the kitchen with some seriously good cookery skills. Dust down and scrub your BBQ and learn how to cook on fire or spend a family day planting seeds and exploring nature.

Food Drink Devon, which has a membership of over 350 food and drink producers, hospitality and retailer members, suggests some of the highlights from Devon for you to enjoy this summer.

For wine lovers

Most, if not all, vineyards will be thrilled and delighted to show you around their small or not-so-small patch of heaven and even give you a guided tasting through their vines and wines.

Huxbear Vineyard which is in Chudleigh offers a walking tour where the owner, Lucy, will talk you through the story of Huxbear, their vineyard calendar and winemaking processes. 

You'll learn heaps in about 90 minutes, followed, of course, by a free tasting. Non-walking tours are also available on request and are suitable for people with limited mobility, so should be accessible to everyone in your family or group.

Torview Vineyard, which isn't very far from Beaworthy, goes a a little bit further as it lets visitors get hands-on during their Winemaking Days. 

They run a Red and a Sparking version and your experience is spread over several days, several months apart, depending, of course,  on the wine type.. This year's Red Winemaking experience is almost sold out, but there's space on the upcoming Sparkling, so do look out for that, if sparkling wine's your thing.

Heron Farm Vineyard close to Honiton runs Vineyard Tours which also take in their impressive orchards, to learn about apple juice making, and their Kitchen Garden and Gin Orchard, topped off with a tasting back at the Heron Farm Kitchen & Café.

Sandridge Barton Wines, home of award-winning Sharpham Wine, close to Stoke Gabriel offers several different varieties of tasting experiences, from a casual self-guided options to in-depth guided tastings and tours for those who want to learn more about the processes they employ in their sustainable vineyard and winery.

Lyme Bay Winery near Axminster offers private guided tasting sessions in their Cellar Door, where you'll be talked through each wine, where the grapes are grown, how it's made and they'll even offer you a few all important wine buying tips. You'll leave for home with Winemaker's Notes on each of the wines you've sampled.

More beautiful vineyards with tours and tasting sessions to visit and experience…

Venn Valley Vineyard, near Barnstaple

Alder Vineyard, near Okehampton

Old Walls Vineyard, near Bishopsteignton

Wishing to delve a little deeper into wine? South West Wine School brings together the best wine educators in the south west to run Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) training courses at Darts Farm, near Topsham. Whether learning about different grapes for the first time or analysing a wine in a blind tasting, South West Wine School will take you on that voyage of discovery.

Beer and cider tours and tastings

Explore the world of brewing and fermenting

Sandford Orchards, near Crediton. You'll be able to look behind the scenes at the Cider Works,which boasts that it is the oldest working cider mill in the country, and see how award-winning Sandford Orchards cider is made. Round off the experience with a Q&A session and a cider tasting flight and pizza included in the price.

Salcombe Brewery If you have a desire to learn about beer and brewing, Salcombe Brewery is the place for you. Take yourself and fellow-beer lovers down to Salcombe Brewery. Their tours include a welcome drink in the Taproom, a tour of the Brewhouse with one of their knowledgeable brewers, who'll be more than happy (hoppy, even? Sorry!) to answer your questions, and you'll finish with a beer flight tasting back in the Taproom.

Other beer and cider tours and tastings to consider…

Hanlons Brewery, Newton St Cyres

Hunts Cider, Stoke Gabriel

Red Rock Brewery, Bishopsteignton

Rum experiences

Learn about the art of blending and rum distilling…

Devon Rum Co. Join the team at their waterside venue in Salcombe for a Rum Tasting Experience, complete with a very welcome drink, behind-the-scenes tour of their Blending House. You'll be able to try your hand at bottling rum, then enjoy an in-depth tasting of their four award-winning artisan rums. Ideal for rum fans and groups of friends to enjoy.

Two Drifters Distillery, near Exeter. Want to see a working rum distillery in action? Two Drifters were the first distillery to make rum from scratch in the UK. They'll fix you a drink, then gibe you a fascinating tour of the carbon-negative distillery. Smell the deliciously tempting scent of the genuine molasses and learn how they turn this high-quality material into finest quality rum. And then, it's a welcome return to the Rum Bar for a tasting flight.

Salcombe Rum School A visit here gives you the wonderful chance to craft your own rum and take it home with you. Learn about distillation and rum production, collect your botanicals, and create your own recipe and your own bottle label. Maybe leave the car at home as at least three rum cocktails feature in this experience!

Other recommended tours and tastings include 

Devon Distillery, Dartington

Hattiers Rum, Mothecombe, South Devon

Gin adventures

Go behind the scenes and make your own signature serve

Quayside Distillery, Exeter Quay. Join the gin experts in the lab for a wonderful 90-minute experience learning about the fundamentals of a well-balanced gin whilst you are learning and creating your own unique gin recipe. Or opt for a 60-minute experience with a master distiller where you'll taste your way through their flagship range.

Salcombe Gin School Take charge of a beautiful mini copper pot still to develop and distil your own 70cl signature bottle. Learn how they produce Salcombe Gin and what it takes to produce a balanced and harmonious gin whilst enjoying a 'Salcombe & Tonic'.

Gotland Gin, Beaworthy This novel experience begins in their outside bar with a G&T or soft drink before heading into the nano-distillery to see how Gotland Gin is produced. Next meet their flock of Gotland sheep and lambs during lambing season, then relax back in the bar and learn all about the botanicals while enjoying a few more tasters.

A few more to explore

Devon Distillery Gin School, Dartington

Sidmouth Gin School

Cocktail time

Time to mix, muddle and shake your way to a great time

Devon Rum Co. Cocktail Masterclass. Head to Salcombe to mix, muddle, and shake your way through a hands-on cocktail making session. You'll take charge of your very own and fully stocked cocktail station, have an introduction to mixology, then make (and drink) up to four unique rum-based cocktails. Might be best to not use your car to visit them!

Devon Cove Cocktail Masterclasses. Perfect for a fun night out with family members or friends or to celebrate a very special occasion. Hosted by an expert mixologist, you'll be able to learn how to make a range of delicious cocktails in the Kingsbridge Tasting Room. Try their award-winning spirits, learn the history of cocktails and play a few games, too!

Bar Buoy 'Cocktail Compass'. A one-off Tour, Talk and Tasting Event at the home of Bar Buoy handcrafted, ready mixed cocktails in Exmouth. Thursday, September 21, 7-9:00pm.

Coffee

Take your barista skills to the next level

Owens Coffee, Ivybridge. Latte Art Essentials Workshop. A two-hour course to awaken your inner barista and take your love of coffee to a higher level. However, it's important to realise that this is not your average coffee class, it's a vital experience that's all about having fun, unleashing your creativity, and elevating your coffee game, too. Several other coffee tasting, brewing and barista courses are on offer at Owens, too.

Learn cookery, fire and baking skills

From learning the right way to chop your onions, to how to cook over coals, to baking  the perfect sourdough

High Grange, Axminister Learn lots to apply in your own garden at this bespoke barbecue school which covers the full gambit of outdoor cookery. At Fire School you'll cover a variety of outdoor fire cooking and barbecue techniques and butchery with chef and food writer, Luke MacKay. Enjoy what you've just cooked, around the big oak table for lunch. Other masterclasses are available too.

Ashburton Cookery School is one of the UK's top cookery schools offering inspirational cookery courses taught by a team of keen and very expert chefs. With over 40 cookery courses to choose from, designed to suit beginners as well as the more advanced home cooks amongst our readers, they'll teach you to cook with imagination, passion and enjoyment… and how to chop an onion properly, too, as we just mentioned!

One Mile Bakery Boudicca Woodland runs One Mile Bakery in Exeter, making and delivering delicious and utterly delightful homemade bread, soups and preserves by bike within one mile of home mile, BUT she also teaches sourdough and other breadmaking classes in her Breadshed Microbakery. Her classes fill up rapidly, so do get in quick!

Sweet treats

Chocolate heaven for big and little ones…

Ilfracombe Chocolate Emporium Introduction to Chocolate Making. This lovely workshop session includes a talk on chocolate, learn the entire process of turning a bean into the chocolate you recognise whilst the chocolatier demonstrates how to hand-craft, hand-dip and properly decorate chocolates. They also run a 'Short & Sweet Tutorial' ideal for children and parents.

Salcombe Dairy Chocolate Factory Experience the sights, sounds and aromas of bean-to-bar chocolate being made and packaged onsite thanks to full height glass dividing walls between the factory and the shop.

Flapjackery Barbican Trail Pop into Flapjackery on Southside Street to pick up a free children's trail which takes you around the sights and sounds of Plymouth's historic Barbican. Chocolate treats for children who complete the Barbican Trail.

Growing and foraging

Learn more about working with nature to produce food more sustainably…

The Husbandry School near Ashburton. If you are interested in growing more of the food you eat and wish to do so in a natural, fully sustainable way, then Husbandry Skills courses are ideal for you. Or you'll be able to take your family and spend the day exploring nature and picking great things to eat on the way round.

Taw Valley Microgreens Lunch & Learn, a hands-on introduction to growing your own microgreens. Learn about producing food sustainably, enjoy a tasty lunch, walk in the meadow and return home with a freshly picked microgreen punnet. (That's Food and Drink love growing microgreens in our conservatory.)

The Pig at Combe Dig a little deeper into THE PIG's 'plot to plate' ethos with their free Kitchen Garden tours every last Friday of the month.

Broomhill Estate From photography to foraging, metalwork to music lessons, cookery to art appreciation, Broomhill Estate near Barnstaple is 103 acres of imagination and creativity. Sounds great!

Ebb Tides Seaweed, Sidmouth Seaweed Foraging and Pressing. One-off event on Sunday 17th September 1-5pm

The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth. Sowing with Donkeys. One-off event on Monday, September 18, 3-6pm.

For more information on any of these experiences visit the individual member's website or for information on Food Drink Devon visit www.fooddrinkdevon.co.uk and follow @FoodDrinkDevon on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Worried about driving to and from the venues? Then you might like to check out suitable high quality hotels with the Devon Hotels and Restaurants Association website https://www.devonhotels.com.

(Incidentally, please mention our food and drink blog, That's Food and Drink, when you make a booking at any of the above food and drink venues)

Devon Winery's Support for Gold-Winning Horatio's Garden at Chelsea Flower Show

The head of a Devon winery has spoken of his deep pride for supporting Horatio's Garden charity, which won gold and Best in Show at the Chelsea Flower Show with a wheelchair accessible design by Exeter and London-based landscape design duo Charlotte Harris and Hugo Bugg.

Horatio's Garden is a charitable organisation which creates and maintains beautiful and accessible gardens at NHS spinal injury centres. It's designed to be a sanctuary for patients with a therapeutic outdoor space specially designed to be wheelchair accessible where they can relax, escape the clinical environment, and engage with nature.

Duncan Schwab, CEO and head winemaker at Sandridge Barton, the home of Sharpham Wine, has supported the charity by offering celebratory wine. 

He said: “We're so proud to be supporting Horatio's Garden charity which provides beautiful spaces to help with the well-being and quality of life for people who have spinal injuries. 

“We believe that connecting with nature and the healing power of gardens positively impacts the lives of patients and their families and we were delighted to support them in a small way with some wine for their VIP visitors to the Chelsea Flower Show, and even more delighted that this beautiful garden won Best in Show.”

The garden was designed to be experienced by spinal injury patients from a bed or wheelchair. It will be relocated to the Princess Royal Spinal Injuries Centre in Sheffield in 2024, offering an area of sanctuary to long-term patients, families and NHS staff and improve their wellbeing.

Horatio's Garden charity has gardens at six other NHS spinal injury centres across the UK including Horatio's Garden South West, based at Salisbury District Hospital. 

The charity is named in memory of Horatio Chapple, who had the original idea to create a garden for patients with spinal injuries and their loved ones while volunteering at the Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre in Salisbury during his school holidays. The first garden opened in 2012 and following its enormous success, a nationwide charity was formed with the mission to open a Horatio's Garden in all 11 UK spinal injury centres.