Photo: Jud Mackrill / Unsplash
Are you a first-time wine party hoster? Maybe you’re an experienced wine club member or a dedicated wine enthusiast? Whatever experience you’re bringing to the table, there are always ways to improve your hosting prowess, so each of your guests can toast and taste with a smile on their face.
To help you improve your next wine-tasting party, here are five easy-to-follow tips:
Invest in Good Wine Glasses
If you want to create a memorable wine-tasting event, you must start with fantastic wine glasses. You’re looking for a thin lip and light glass – both signs of good quality, lead-free glass. You can choose ‘all-purpose’ wine glasses, or a pack of labeled glasses with options for each wine – both types are great for beginners.
On a budget? Cut costs by opting for machine-molded glass rather than mouth-blown glass. The difference lies almost exclusively in the cost. Though there are a few other subtle benefits of hand-made wine glasses, you really don’t need to worry about them unless you’re deep in the wine-tasting game.
Create the Right Atmosphere
Although excellent wines are important at a wine party, a lot of what sets the mood is the atmosphere itself. Start by creating a scentscape across the house. Smells connect to the cortex, where the deepest parts of our brain are stimulated. The right smells can help relax your guests or excite them. Just be sure to create these scent-based experiences away from the wine-tasting area, as strong smells there could impact the wine-tasting itself.
To enhance the atmosphere, you can also add the right music, mood lighting, and decor. These special touches will work together, creating the perfect charming atmosphere for your party.
Choose the Perfect Wines
If you are part of a wine delivery club, you’ll already have the perfect selection of wines to enjoy with your guests. If you don’t have a wine subscription, it is worth choosing a theme yourself to make the evening more cohesive. Perhaps choose all sparkling wines, or wines from a specific region. Get creative, and have fun choosing a different theme for every party you throw.
It’s also a good idea to include wines across different price categories. This helps you to run the event on a budget while indulging in a wide range of wine qualities, some of which can be surprisingly affordable and accessible.
Pair Delicious Food With Your Wines
Whether you offer a full seven-course tasting menu or a selection of nibbles for your guests, it is important to ensure the food pairs well with the wine. You can play it safe and opt for classic pairings like Riesling and pork or Cabernet Sauvignon and steak. If you want to go it alone, there are some general rules to stick to when choosing the perfect food for each wine.
Aim to match flavor intensity so your food doesn’t overwhelm the wine and vice versa. Pair fatty foods with full-bodied acidic wines and delicate foods (like salad and fish) with light-bodied low-acid wines. With each party you throw, you’ll gain your own valuable wine-pairing experience.
Offer Interesting Information in an Engaging Way
As the host, you should provide some information about each wine. Deliver this information in an engaging story format rather than as a list of facts. This will help enhance the atmosphere for your guests. They’ll also have a different emotional connection with each wine, creating more of an immersive experience.
Coupling the tips above with a little research will help you craft the perfect wine-tasting event. Embrace this journey of discovery, savor new flavors, and enjoy a well-planned experience with your guests. Salut!
