On 2015-04-13 2:01 PM, graham wrote:

> I visited a store in New Zealand where they had multiple-bottle tasting
> stations that dispensed a 1,2 or 5oz taste, using those fancy inert gas
> dispensers. You just plugged in a sort of credit card and pressed the
> appropriate button and the cost was recorded and you paid up at the end.
> That meant that quite pricey wines could be tasted and there was no
> obligation to buy.


Wineries around here used to have free samples. As the wine business
grew, wine tasting became a destination activity, so most of the
wineries started charging. If you go in just to sample you pay for the
samples, but if you go in to buy in some reasonable quantity they end up
comping the samples. My brother works part time in one of the few local
wineries that does not charge for samples.


Ice wine is a major product here. At the end of my sampling and buying I
will gladly pay for a sample of ice wine. I love the stuff.... in small
doses. I am not paying $50 for a half bottle of wine and having just
and ounce or two. That little sample does me just fine.