Updated: 10/4/2019
Interested in hosting a wine tasting party at home? You may be wondering what you need to know and do to make the event a success. In this article, we will share all the details you will need, but to get you started check out this quick list of tips for hosting a wine tasting party:
6 Tips for Hosting a Wine Tasting Party
- Decide what kind of wine tasting you’d like to host.
- Invite a small-to-medium-sized group of friends.
- Choose your wines!
- Tidy up and get dishes and glasses ready.
- Put your chosen food pairings out buffet-style.
- Chill and prep the wine.
How To Prepare For A Wine Tasting Party At Home
Think about what kind of wine tasting you’d like to host.
Perhaps you want to learn to taste and pair with a simple menu of light snacks, or maybe you want to create a theme around your tasting, such as a Halloween candy tasting or a brunch tasting. Create a theme for wine pairings based on what you love. Some of her favorites include cheese and chocolate, holiday and seasonal wine tastings, cookie swaps, Taco Tuesdays, and—for the very fancy—five-course dinners.
Invite a small-to-medium-sized group of friends whom you know enjoy wine and would like to learn more about it.
Set a date on the calendar and text, call, email, or send e-vites to your guests. Consider setting up a Facebook event where you can share updates or even invite guests to share questions about that they’d love to have answered at the wine tasting. Don’t forget to send a reminder the day of the event. Decide on the length of your event. A good length of time for a wine tasting party at home is anywhere from 90 minutes to two hours. This length gives you time to try the wines, discuss them, and of course, enjoy them!
Choose your wines.
Visit your local wine store and find out which wines are trending, or ask about lesser known varietals that might be interesting to your guests. Consider wines from a specific region, such as Argentina or Spain! You will want to select a mix of reds and whites, even sparkling or sweet wines.
Choose your pairing menu.
As the host, you can choose a menu that matches your budget and your theme. Cheese and chocolate are fantastic and easy options. Charcuterie boards with a variety of smoked meats, cheeses, dips, fruits and veggies are always popular. Your menu can be as hassle-free as different flavors of potato chips or popcorn! When you’re at the wine shop, be sure and ask about perfect pairings or consult an expert for tips!
Tidy up your house and get dishes and glasses ready.
But don’t stress! It’s okay if your house isn’t perfect—your guests will be having so much fun they won’t notice the basket of toys in the living room or the messy closet. The wine will get all the attention!
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Put your chosen food pairings out buffet-style.
Whether you cook the food yourself, have it catered, or have pre-packaged snacks, display them in an easy to grab fashion such as a buffet. Your guests should take a sample of each food so they have it handy to taste with each of the wines you have provided. As far as seating goes, people typically enjoy their wine tasting at a dining table, on a patio, or in a living room—anywhere with enough seating and plenty of places for wine glasses.
Chill and prep the wine.
We follow the 20/20 rule when it comes to chilling wine to perfection! For your whites, chill them three to four hours before your event; but take them out of the fridge 20 minutes before sampling. For your reds, chill them in the fridge for just 20 minutes immediately prior to serving. Open your reds and allow them to breathe before you taste, or use an aerator for the perfect sip!
Have Fun!
The more involved you are, the more successful the event. When you share their excitement and communicate your enthusiasm with your guests, the positive energy is contagious! Remember, it’s wine. Your party should be fun and laughter-fueled—anything but stuffy!
These simple steps will ensure your event is a memorable one—and one you look forward to hosting again and again with new themes, new foods, and new wines!