Today there is more quality wine being produced all around the globe than ever before. Some wine writers even claim that were living in the golden age of wine. While tasting wines on a weekly basis from across the country and around the world I must say this is definitely the case. One of the best ways to taste a wide variety of wines and get together with friends is by throwing a wine-tasting party. Even is you’re a less-experienced wine drinker don’t feel that its something you can’t host. Events such as these are easy to set up and a great way to dip into the world of wine in the comfort of your own home. Here’s a easy step by step guide to follow for your own in home wine-tasting party.

1. Choose the wine or theme – select a variety of wines from around the globe made with the same grape. For example: A Pinot Noir from New Zealand, California and France. Some fun themed parties are: “Wines Under $10.00”, “Spanish Reds”, “ Unique Grape Varietals” or “Same Grape Different Price Points”.

2. Determine your guests – send invitations out two to four weeks in advance before the event. Keep the group between 8 to 12 people, so you can pour everyone with one bottle of wine. This will keep the cost down and the tasting manageable. Also you can have each guest bring a bottle of wine to the event, if cost is an issue.

3. Food ? – If your keeping the tasting as an informal gathering, feel free to pair the wines with the right food. On the other hand if the event is to show case the wines and its primary goal is to taste and judge, wait until your done tasting to eat. Provide palette cleansers like water crackers or bread between wines.

4.Setting the Table – the basics you’ll need for the tasting are:
a)Wineglasses – one or two glasses per person. Have a pitcher of water for rinsing between wines.
b)Plastic cups or Dump buckets – you can taste wine without swallowing and if you don’t want to drink all the wine, spitting and dumping are an option. Wine professional do this all day long.
c) Wine tasting sheets – have a list of wines printed out so guests can write down tasting notes about the wines or even rate them.
d) Paper bags to cover the wines, if you want to do a blind tasting. And Napkins.
Tasting in the proper order is essential and will let you appreciate the wines fully.

The 5 steps to tasting are simple and easy.
1. Look or Appearance - color, clarity, dull or brilliant.
2. Aroma – primary = fruits, secondary = winemaking techniques like oak, tertiary = earth, leather or tobacco.
3. Body – texture, weight or mouth feel.
4. Taste – flavors, balance and structure.
5. Finish – flavors after swallowing. Short, Medium and Long.
Also remember to talk about what your smelling and tasting with the guests. This is a excellent way to learn more about a wines aromas and flavors.
So if your looking for a great way to get family or friends together for an enjoyable time, remember that a wine tasting party is a sure bet for fun.
Please drink responsibly and have a designated driver to get guests home safely.

Newsletter brought to you by Jeff Anderson