There is a common thread between Gatsby, Don Draper and you (after reading this post, that is). Know what it is? All three master the art of a good show, a good conversation. All three have that razzle dazzle.

For you, that showmanship is ever important in front of your boss, clients, or both. You want to impress. One surefire way to let them know that they can’t live without you, is to know your wine… Or at least look like you do. Can you believe they are putting the responsibility of choosing the wine in your hands? Remain calm, Sydney Wine Tasting is here to help. Put some of the below tips into action and your wine knowledge will be the talk of the town. Trust us, your next deal is in the bag.

Sydney Wine Tasting’s Top Tips:

Know your audience. What type of drink are they after?

Just like all good salespeople, qualifying the customer (aka. the client) is the first step. There is nothing worse than raving about cabernet sauvignon and merlot to a white wine lover. Avoid that by making sure everyone is on the same page. It just takes one simple question: “What type of wine are you in the mood for?”. From there, the real impressive stuff can begin.

Learn the tasting basics.

You are under pressure already. Let’s keep it simple and stick to five tasting basics. When the wine comes to the table, why not give the wine some time to shine. Afterall, you are ordering wine for a reason, let it be part of the show.

See. - check out the colour and intensity.
Swirl. - show some finesse with some well rehearsed swirling action.
Sniff. - take a little smell and start with describing the fruits and flowers you can find.
Sip. - start with a small sip and continue with the fruits and spices.
Savour. - relax, enjoy the wine!

With the wine as your trusty sidekick, the connection you share will say it all. If you are able to look at, smell, taste and enjoy your choice, then that is a team that I’d want to work with. Acting naturally and simply finding some fun and interesting things to say will surely impress. We believe in you.

The power of three.

When you are running through the tasting basics, don’t overthink it. Your confidence is what will impress the client. Ever heard of ‘fake it til you make it’? That one applies here. You don’t want to be the guy who won’t shut up and continues to spit out one confused adjective after another. Show your style with just three adjectives. If chosen well, that’s all it takes to sell something, whether it’s the wine or that payrise you are after.

The Sommelier is your friend.

Remember the person who brought you the wine list? In theory, they know their stuff. Get them on your team. Be brave and ask for some more information about the wine. Ask who the winemakers are, which part of the world the wine is from. By looping your somm into the game, you should be able to bring out the more relatable side of the wine, the human story. When you acknowledge that wine doesn’t just magical appear on the table, but is crafted by a lot of hard work, you are signalling that you get it. You are signalling that wine is an artform to be enjoyed. Who better to enjoy it with than you?

BTG.

At the end of the day, you want your client to be pleasantly surprised by your choice. Going with a bottle appears to be the most impressive. It includes a show, a significant investment and a statement of upfront confidence. However, why not chose the road less travelled? Why not start on a little wine adventure together? Ever considered opting for by the glass? By the glass (BTG), opens up your possibilities. It gives you wiggle room. You don’t have to worry about your client not loving the drop, and you can move through different tastes together. Show a sense of curiosity, it’s fun! If you are discussing more serious content, that could be just the relief you need.

Bonus points: Geography

Want to really impress? Want to show your boss your top notch research skills? Brush up on your geography. It’s easy! By simply learn the difference between grapes from cool and warm climates, or the contrast between Old and New world wine styles, you will really look like a pro. Knowing these extra little tidbits will really help to weave wine, and your knowledge of the stuff, into the conversation. If your opinion on French syrah vs. Australian shiraz doesn’t impress, I don’t know what will.

There you have it. With our top tips front of mind you will be able to show off your wine razzle dazzle. Just keep it simple, use your environment, and casually drop a small ‘did you know?’ into the conversation. Is your newfound wine confidence impressive? Sure is.

Knowing your wine to impress your boss or client