I love the idea of doing food tours, especially in Italy. I am not a picky eater and love trying new foods; however, I am not a huge fan of alcohol. I love one or two drinks here and there, but since I am an extreme lightweight, I prefer to drink at my lodgings. I know in many food tours, local alcoholic drinks are offered, I would like to take a sip and try it, but I will most likely not finish it. My concern is that by doing this, I will come across as rude. What is the etiquette for drinks on food tours?
Posted by
SE Pennsylvania
3065 posts
There are always non drinkers, and you can have something non-alcholic or water instead.
I rarely have more than a sip during tours. It's not rude and it's not rude to not finish a food either.
Posted by
Bend, OR
1642 posts
No one expects you to eat or drink anything you don’t want to. In Amsterdam, I refused the herring after watching my adult daughter’s face when she tried it, the guide laughed and brought us out some battered fried cod. On food tours in Rome, Amsterdam and Lisbon, water (sparkling or flat) was always offered.
Posted by
Idaho, USA
8908 posts
I like food tours and have done several in Italy. Yes, you can leave food or wine, but it is a bit rude to the host location or restaurant. If there’s going to be wine served, I tell the guide to only pour a half for me, so that I can try them. That’s never been an issue. At some stops they may ask if you want red or white, and you could choose the water, instead.
Posted by
616 posts
I’ve been on a handful of food tours. People leave uneaten food and drink all the time. It’s not rude or strange.
People in Italy and elsewhere understand that a) some people don’t drink or prefer it to drink much, b) not everything is to everyone’s taste and c) it ends up being a lot of food in a short time.
Posted by
Vignola, Modena, Italy
609 posts
Depends even by the kind of tour. If is a group tour with several people (like 10/15) is normal that somebody don't want to eat/drink something, so hosts and guide don't take care of it.
If is a private tour tell immediately to the guide what you want or don't want to try, so that can be decided the tastings depending by the personal desire. Today for example I did a private tour with no wine at all because was not something that the tourists were will to try.
In general the best rule to be followed during a food tour is to don't waste food. So means avoid to buy and serve too much food. Is one of the task of the guide balance the quantity.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
6313 posts
I’d just tell the guide upfront that if alcohol is served, you just want a tiny taste. It won’t be a problem.
Posted by
170 posts
Typically morning or market tours have less alcohol than dinner tours. I typically go for those so that I'm not paying for an alcohol tasting that I won't partake in.