In running dozens of Wine Animal challenge events, I started wondering — does the order we serve wines affect how they’re scored? Are later wines unfairly favoured once people loosen up? Turns out, the answer is no. Repeatedly, the highest-rated wines often appear in the first bracket, when palates are sharpest.
So what’s really at play? Palate fatigue. Once you’ve tasted enough wines, your mouth starts to lose its edge. I’ve judged over 90 wines in one day, and trust me — the last 20 are a slog. That’s why we use tricks like sparkling water and plain crackers to keep things fresh.
Still, quality always finds a way to rise. Whether poured first or last, great wine stands out. That’s what I love about these events — watching guests pick the standouts, regardless of hype or placement.
Moral of the story? Don’t overthink the order. Focus on flow, freshness, and giving each wine a fair chance to sing.