Wine Tasting Notes: Do they help or hinder the wine experience?

At almost every wine tasting Ivan hosts, something interesting happens. Some guests grab a pen the moment they sit down, ready to scribble down every aroma and flavour note.

Others?

They glance at the sheet, smile politely, and then get straight to chatting and sipping.

By the end of the event, half of the notes are filled in, the other half are abandoned under a pile of wine glasses.

This makes us question: Are tasting notes really helping people enjoy wine - or do they hinder the wine experience?

Why we include tasting notes

• For our wine club members, we write tasting notes that share the story of the winery and the details of the wine itself.

• For our gift boxes, we include something similar so that the recipient can connect with the bottle in front of them.

• And, at tastings, we prepare sheets so that people can jot down their own impressions of the wines if they wish.

A table set up for our wine initiation course, with additional learning notes

An example of our Malvasia wine club, which includes tasting notes

An example gift box, which will include wine tasting notes

A table set up for a tasting, complete with tasting notes

But here's the thing: not everyone wants to use them. Some people love to learn, some like to keep a record, and some simply prefer to enjoy the moment - drinking and socialising without any additional 'written work'.

So, what do people really want?

Do customers want a few fun facts and a heartfelt story?

Or do they prefer a deep dive into the grape varieties, vineyard soils, and ageing process?

Do printed leaflets feel like an added touch - or is it just extra paper that eventually gets thrown away?

Would a discreet QR code be more convenient, or does this feel less personal?

These are the questions we find ourselves asking more and more.

The risk of over-educating

There's a fine line here. If tasting notes are too technical, do they make people feel like they should be picking up on flavours they simply can't taste?

Do they accidentally send the message that the customer doesn't know enough, that their palate isnt refined, or that their past wine choices have been 'wrong'?

This is the opposite of what we want.

At Wine Industry Mallorca, we want people to feel special for choosing us - respected for trusting their own tastes - and comfortable to simply enjoy what's in the glass, without needing to feel like they have to pass a test.

As Darleen Scherer (a coffee brand architect and strategist) said in a LinkedIn post - 'Education alone isn't connection. Information isn't hospitality. Expertise isn't empathy.'

Hospitality first, notes second

Ivan's experience in the hospitality industry is key here. His approach is to 'read the room'.

Why are people here?

Do they want to learn?

Do they want to have fun? Or, a bit of both?

Are they asking lots of questions, or are they more interested in chatting amongst themselves?

Ivan then adapts to ensure every tasting feels personal and engaging. Sometimes guests walk away knowing more than they ever expected about a grape variety. Other times, they leave with just one or two stories that made them smile - but with the memory of an afternoon that felt personal, relaxed, and special.

And very often, that's enough to make them want to purchase a few bottles afterwards - not because they've been educated, but because they've enjoyed their experience and the wines presented.

Rethinking the role of tasting notes

Maybe tasting notes should be thought of as an optional layer rather than an integral part of the experience. Something fun to read, a way to take a little piece of the experience home, but never used as a centrepiece.

Perhaps they should focus on telling stories, sharing passion, or sparking curiosity - without being intimidating or overwhelming.

After all, a truly good wine speaks for itself.

Over to you

We'd love to hear your thoughts:

Do you enjoy reading tasting notes, saving them, and coming back to them later?

Or, do you prefer to just savour the wine in the moment, with no notes attached?

For us, it's not really about the paper, the QR code, or the descriptors. It's about making sure every person who tastes wine with us feels respected, valued, and connected - whether they write down every detail, or just raise a glass and smile.