Host your own wine tasting party is a great way to get together with friends and enjoy a few bottles of wine. You might not be a sommelier but that’s okay.
You can host a party that is enjoyable for everyone, regardless of whether your friends are wine-club members or newbies who want to explore California. Here are some tips and guidelines to help you plan your first party, whether it’s in-person or virtually.
Make sure you keep your gathering small so that you can choose the right spot
Many COVID-19 restrictions do not address the needs of a great wine-tasting event . To avoid a spoiled event, make sure you adhere to CDC guidelines.
If you are hosting an in-person event, ensure that there is enough ventilation and space for social interaction. If you are hosting this event in the summer, these requirements should be easily met. Rental facilities might be more difficult to find if you are hosting the event in winter months. This could mean that there is a smaller guest list.
It’s also a great choice to be in your own home.
There are many other reasons to have an exclusive guest list. Larger groups than 10-12 people will often break up into smaller groups during the event. This is a good rule of thumb that allows you to limit your party spending by dividing a 24-ounce wine bottle into 12 2-ounce tasting portions.
A full glass of wine is expensive and guests might stay the night if they drink more than one glass.
Wine tasting party ideas:
Your imagination is the limit of your options when it comes to themes. There are many ideas for wine tasting parties that have been suggested by others. These are some ways to make your red wines display memorable.
- You can taste horizontally. Choose wines from different years, but not necessarily from the exact same region. To see how climate and winemaking traditions can affect the character of the drink, compare cabernet sauvignons from other vineyards or pinot Noir from different regions.
- Taste vertically. This is when you compare the same wine from different years. This can be done with chardonnay and sauvignon blanc.
- Taste by area. You don’t need to know the year or “vintage” because you are experimenting with wines from different countries or areas. To enjoy the aromas of wine from France, Italy or Napa Valley and get a broad overview, you can try a variety of wines.
- Explore the spectrum. Red wine, roses, white wines, sweet to dry.
- Blind tasting. Cover the label or place the wine in a bag. You can see the price tag and brand of older wines to determine if they are distinguishable. No matter how old the wine may be, good wine is still good wine.
Send invitations
If you are planning to invite people to your wine tasting party, invitations are essential. You can send invitations by email, Facebook, or mail two to three weeks ahead of time. You can ask your guests to RSVP so that you know how many food and drinks you will need. This will allow you to plan for additional items such as table decorations or artful paper bags.
Choose wine pairings and food combinations
Pairing wine with food allows you to explore the subtleties of flavor interactions. Pair wines with small dishes, or offer appetizers and hors-d’oeuvres to break up the tastings.
This will ensure that your guests don’t drink on empty stomachs. Wine connoisseurs often recommend that wine be tasted before being eaten to preserve the wine’s residual flavors.
You may have heard of matching wine and cheese, or even a wine with a meal. You can also pair riesling with brunch dishes or with a couple of wines with chips, popcorn, or Girl Scout cookies.
You can make your wine tasting party into a dinner party by adding a second tasting.
Decide what suits you best by reading up on some great Food and wine pairing ideas.
Make sure to stock up on supplies so you always have what you need
After you have calculated the amount of wine and food that you will need, it is time to get the goods.
You don’t have to go to the store to buy some items. But you can save your stress and have it delivered.
You can order items online:
- Your wine . You can choose from varietals, sauvignon blancs or Italian vintages. You can even buy a bottle each wine to make sure you have everything covered.
- If you want to go all out, purchase good wine glasses . The shape of the glass is crucial.
- You can find palette cleaners like crackers and meat.
- Napkins or other decorations for tables will make cleanup easier and more enjoyable.
- You can all take notes during the tasting by using paper and pen. This will enable you to all compare notes and determine which group is your favorite.