How to Host a Wine Tasting at Home

Hosting a wine tasting in your home is a fun and delicious way to bring together friends who share a passion for wine.  Where sharing a glass of wine with your peers is an easy way to spend an evening, a proper wine tasting takes preparation and a bit of research.  This article will guide you in throwing the perfect tasting.

1. Choose a theme for your tasting - You can include more than one theme per party. Popular theme choices include:

• Vertical - A vertical tasting includes wines of the same type but different vintages.  Be sure that all the wine is also from the same winery.  The significance of a vertical tasting is to determine the differences of the vintages.  For example, you may choose to taste 4 different vintages of Chateau Mouton Rothschild.


• Horizontal - A horizontal tasting includes wine of the same vintage year, but from different vineyards.  The focus of this tasting is to taste the differences between the wineries of that specific year.  Most hosts will include wines of the same general style and region.  In this case, you may want to provide several Spanish red wines of 1997.


• Blind - A blind tasting is simply concealing the wines appearance or identity.  Most hosts will wrap the bottles in paper bags and serve the wine in black wine glasses.  The emphasis of this tasting is to test your senses.  Consider including a game to your tasting.  After wrapping each bottle, place a number on each one.  Every guest should write details of the wine, including type and vintage.  You can find many blind tasting guidelines by conducting an online search.


• Guest Choice - A tasting based on the choice of your guests is the most convenient and inexpensive tasting theme.  Each guest must bring a bottle or two of wine.  You can be as general or as particular as you choose.  For instance, you can ask each of your guests to bring a bottle of their favorite wine if you choose to have a more generic tasting.  If you want a more detailed tasting, ask your guests to bring a particular wine, such as Napa Valley.

2. Prepare you guest list - Determine if you wish to have a small group of friends to have a more personal wine tasting experience of if you prefer to have a more social tasting with a wide range of opinions.  Whatever you choose, be sure to have the appropriate wine glasses for the amount of people invited.  For instance, white wine is served in glasses with a smaller mouth.  Red wine is served in a rounder, bowl-like glass.  If you are serving multiple varieties of wine, plan your glasses accordingly.  Set guidelines for the amount served per tasting and factor in the amount of wine you will need to buy.

3. Wine scoring - Some wine tastings are more of a social gathering rather than a serious exploration.  Decide on what you want to provide for your guests.  If you aim for a more laid-back tasting, simply providing music is appropriate.  However, the more serious wine connoisseurs should have wine score cards available.  These can either be found at a local wine shop or printed from a web site on your computer.  Judging is normally based on appearance, smell, taste, and overall satisfaction.

4. Food preparation - Wine is very often paired with food.  Different flavors and spices can accentuate the essence of the wine.  If you are unaware of how to properly pair the wine you are serving with food, ask your local wine merchant.  Judging by the make, flavor, and alcohol content, he will be able to suggest certain foods that favor the variety of wines you are serving.  Many people choose to serve complementary tapas or cheese at wine tastings.

5. Wine tasting extras - A wine tasting can be prepared in any fashion to your liking, but here are a few extra pointers to make your wine tasting authentic:

• Cover your serving table with white linen.  Your guests will be able to see the wine color more easily.


• Remove anything of great aroma from the room.  This may hinder the taste and smell of the wine.


• Keep wine at the correct temperature.  If you do not have a wine cooler, be sure chill your white wine between 50 and 55 degrees and your reds between 60 and 65 degrees.


• Provide bread or crackers for your guests to clear their palates between tastings.


• Consider placing out spit buckets for those who simply wish to taste the wine and not drink it.

6. Enjoy the simple pleasures of wine and company.  A wine tasting is a great way to catch up with friends and make new acquaintances.  While in good company, you will be expanding and enlightening your knowledge of wine.  Your party's success may encourage your friends to put together a wine tasting of their own for you to enjoy.