Summer is the perfect season for wine tasting gatherings with friends and family. If you can’t visit a winery this summer, consider hosting your own wine tasting at home. Before sending out the invitations, take a look at these tips for hosting an amazing wine tasting party.
Choose a Unifying Theme
The first thing your guests will want to know is why you’ve chosen particular wines. Depending on your tastes, you might select wines from the same region (think Bordeaux, Napa Valley, or Chianti), variety (such as all Cabernets), or price range. When in doubt, local wines are always a good excuse to gather your friends for a tasting.
Selecting Wines
Do you find yourself choosing wines based on the label design? Don’t worry—you’re not alone. If you want to get better at reading wine labels, start by researching the kinds of information that labels provide and what each part means.
Do Your Research
One of the key components of a tasting is information. People want to be educated about what they’re drinking, so be sure to provide a little info about each wine. Include things like where the wine comes from, something interesting about the winemaker, and tasting notes from the label.
Provide a Tasting Placemat
Distribute your information with a handout or placemat where guests can record tasting notes for future reference. Design your own or take a look at printable versions available online. The idea is to have fun but also learn something new about wine and to document the wines that you really liked and their unique tastes and characteristics.
Serve With Charcuterie
Charcuterie is crucial to hosting an amazing wine tasting party. Not only does it serve as a beautiful centerpiece, but it encourages guests to slow down and enjoy the event. Plus, it can be fun to mix and match different kinds of charcuterie. Here are a few offerings to avoid when serving alongside wine:
- Chocolate (unless served with dessert wine)
- Assorted cheeses
- Sushi
- Salami
- Pâté
- Dips
- Fruits, Nuts, and Berries
Tip: Believe it or not anything in the cabbage family makes for an interesting wine pairing.
Consider Glassware
Unless you own ten sets of wine glasses, you’re probably not going to be able to give each guest a different glass for each wine. That’s perfectly fine—many wineries that serve all their tastings in the same glass. Just be sure to have a sink nearby where guests can rinse out their glasses between wines. Now that you know how to host the perfect wine tasting party, it’s time to pick out a few delicious wines and send out the invitations!