Regarding wine tasting, see under Spittoon.
The wines tasted at a professional tasting are of course not swallowed or drunk due to the quantities involved. After tasting, they are spat out into an appropriate container (picture on the right). Since there are no nerves in the throat for the sensation of taste and smell, this does not detract from a serious examination. Lay people sometimes doubt...
For my many years of work as an editor with a wine and culinary focus, I always like to inform myself about special questions at Wine lexicon. Spontaneous reading and following links often leads to exciting discoveries in the wide world of wine.
Dr. Christa Hanten
Fachjournalistin, Lektorin und Verkosterin, Wien