Can I ship wine back home?

Yes, but check your home country's customs duty-free limits. It is usually cheaper to buy a shipping container/box at the winery than to pay for excess airline baggage.

Is it rude to spit during a tasting?

Absolutely not. Professional wine tasters use spittoons. If you plan on doing multiple tastings in one day, spitting is highly recommended to stay sober.

How to plan a European wine-tasting trip

Focus on two adjacent regions reachable by train to avoid driving while drinking. Base your stay in the central town of a major wine-producing area and use local taxis or e-bikes to visit 2-3 vineyards per day.

Select your regions based on varietals. Don't try to see the whole continent. Pick one or two regions based on wine preference. For example, choose Bordeaux or Burgundy (France) for reds, the Mosel Valley (Germany) for Riesling, or Piedmont (Italy) for Barolo.
Map your transport to avoid rentals. Rental cars are a liability if you are tasting wine. Choose regions with reliable train connections like the Rhine Valley, or areas like Chianti where you can hire a private driver for 150-200 USD per day.
Book tastings 4 weeks in advance. Unlike in the US, many high-end European wineries are not open for walk-ins. Use the winery’s contact form or platforms like Winerist to secure a specific time slot.
Establish a base town. Stay in a town with at least 5 restaurants and a wine bar. This allows you to taste regional bottles at night without needing to travel back to the vineyards.

Can I ship wine back home?: Yes, but check your home country's customs duty-free limits. It is usually cheaper to buy a shipping container/box at the winery than to pay for excess airline baggage.
Is it rude to spit during a tasting?: Absolutely not. Professional wine tasters use spittoons. If you plan on doing multiple tastings in one day, spitting is highly recommended to stay sober.