How to Host a Wine Tasting Event
with
Jonathon E. Stewart
Wine tastings don't have to be stuffy and expensive, especially if you're the one in charge. Here are some tips for getting a group of guests together at your home for a simple and fun wine tasting event.
Transcript: How to Host a Wine Tasting Event
Hey guys - Jonathon Stewart here for About.com. Having people over for a party is fun, and drinking wine is also fun. But having people over for a party whose main purpose is drinking wine? Woof. Now we're talkin' hecka fun. But before you break out the Mad Dog and plastic cups, take a look at these tips on hosting a proper wine tasting event, and before you know it, you'll be the sommelier with the mostess. Check it out.Pair Wine With Your Guest List
Start by dispensing with the basics. Figure out who you'd like to invite, when you'd like to do it, and then clear your calendar and send out your invites. Wine tasting events, like any type of social gathering, can be as intimate or as sprawling as your space and sensibilities permit. It's probably a good idea to pick a sort of like-minded group people for your party, as far as wine tastes go. In other words, if you're showcasing the best bottles you can get for under ten bucks, you might not want to include your Opus One Only pals.Choose a Type of Wine Tasting
Next, figure out what kind of tasting you want to host. A vertical tasting compares wines from different vintages, or years, of the same varietal, or grape, by the same producer, where a horizontal tasting compares wines of the same vintage and varietal, but from different producers. You can also see how certain wines pair with foods like cheese or chocolate, or inject a little mystery and have your guests guess which wine goes with which label, or how much each wine costs. Let's see: Charles Shaw, 2008, two dollars.Wine Tasting Supplies
Don't get too caught up in this though - the most important thing is that you pick out about 4 to 8 wines, and plan for about 12 two-ounce tastes per bottle, or one bottle of each wine, per 12 guests. If you're hosting a smaller group, make sure everyone tastes each wine and has a chance to discuss, before moving on to the next one. If you're entertaining a huge crowd, just let your guests move along at their own pace. Some other things you'll need are glasses - one per guest - a dump bucket for pouring out leftover wine, water glasses and a pitcher of water, some plain bread or crackers for palate cleansing, and some light food or appetizers to appease famished guests before or after the tasting. You might even consider liver, with some fava beans... and a nice chianti...Arrange the Wines
You can also create tasting cards or slips of paper to allow your guests to score each wine, though sometimes it's fun to simply discuss as you go. Always start by serving your white wines first, from dry to sweet, then move on to your reds, from lighter to fuller-bodied. And most of all, be sure to have fun with it. Being able to discuss the nose, astringency, or finish of a wine can be stimulating conversation, but depending on your crowd, don't hesitate to pose questions like, "If this wine was a movie star, who would it be?" Humprey Bogart. Definitely.Thanks for watching! To learn more, visit us on the Web at About.com.