When planning a tasting party the host may want to host a “themed” party and stick with one type of wine such as California Chardonnays, French Cabernets or a selection of new world wines from Argentina, Chile and New Zealand. The party invitees should be considered; using only red or only white wines might impact guest enjoyment, but the final selection and budget is the host's choice. Here are some tips for organizing the party.
Buying Wine for a Party
Hosting a wine party doesn’t mean that you have to know everything or even anything about wines. The local wine shops should have staff that can assist in selecting wines. Large discount stores such as Sam's Club, Costco and Total Wine offer a large selection as decent prices, but these stores don't offer as much support in selecting wines. Another way to host a wine party is to buy wines direct from a local winery, but this usually would be more costly and offer less selection.
When planning the party, count on each bottle of wine filling four wine glasses. However, for a tasting party using small tasting pours a bottle will serve 8 people, with the possibility of stretching to 12 guests.
Party Size
A wine party is an occasion when smaller is usually better. Limiting guests to 12 or less will give everyone an opportunity to taste each wine and share comments. It is important to know the party size prior to buying wine to stay in budget too.
Easy Food and Wine Pairing
Be creative but consider the wines that are being tasted. Foods can influence the taste of the wine. For a tasting, traditional foods should be held until after the tasting. However, plain crackers, chocolates, nuts, and even dry toast wedges can be used to either cleanse the palate or change the taste of the wine.
Having pitchers of water for both drinking between wines and rinsing glasses is a must. Be sure to have buckets or spittoons available for the tasters.
Wine Rating
Blind tasting are easy to present and a fun way to get a true representation of the wine’s merits, not the impact of the label. For blind tasting wrapping the bottle, using wine bags or even removing labels will work, then number each bottle.
Whether the tasting is blind or the bottles left out in the open, give each guest a pen and piece of paper for ranking. Preprinted tasting sheets can be used but aren’t necessary. Have each guest rank the wines, a simply way is to give a rating of one to four stars for each wine they taste
Enjoy the time finding wines and greeting friends, but also remember to caution guests to drink and drive responsibly. Cheers!
Author Sunil S.
Buying Wine for a Party
Hosting a wine party doesn’t mean that you have to know everything or even anything about wines. The local wine shops should have staff that can assist in selecting wines. Large discount stores such as Sam's Club, Costco and Total Wine offer a large selection as decent prices, but these stores don't offer as much support in selecting wines. Another way to host a wine party is to buy wines direct from a local winery, but this usually would be more costly and offer less selection.
When planning the party, count on each bottle of wine filling four wine glasses. However, for a tasting party using small tasting pours a bottle will serve 8 people, with the possibility of stretching to 12 guests.
Party Size
A wine party is an occasion when smaller is usually better. Limiting guests to 12 or less will give everyone an opportunity to taste each wine and share comments. It is important to know the party size prior to buying wine to stay in budget too.
Easy Food and Wine Pairing
Be creative but consider the wines that are being tasted. Foods can influence the taste of the wine. For a tasting, traditional foods should be held until after the tasting. However, plain crackers, chocolates, nuts, and even dry toast wedges can be used to either cleanse the palate or change the taste of the wine.
Having pitchers of water for both drinking between wines and rinsing glasses is a must. Be sure to have buckets or spittoons available for the tasters.
Wine Rating
Blind tasting are easy to present and a fun way to get a true representation of the wine’s merits, not the impact of the label. For blind tasting wrapping the bottle, using wine bags or even removing labels will work, then number each bottle.
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Home Wine Tasting Party Ideas and Tips
Whether the tasting is blind or the bottles left out in the open, give each guest a pen and piece of paper for ranking. Preprinted tasting sheets can be used but aren’t necessary. Have each guest rank the wines, a simply way is to give a rating of one to four stars for each wine they taste
Enjoy the time finding wines and greeting friends, but also remember to caution guests to drink and drive responsibly. Cheers!
Author Sunil S.
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