Top Tips For Hosting A Sizzling Summer Wine Tasting Party

A wine tasting party is a delightful way to spend a summer afternoon or evening with friends and family. It’s a fun and interesting alternative to the barbecue, and maybe you will discover some wine regions of the world you had previously overlooked, such as the excellent Bulgarian wines. 

If you find the idea of hosting a wine tasting party a bit daunting, or assume that it’s only for more knowledgeable people, don’t worry! There’s no need to make it complicated, and a little planning and preparation will give you the confidence to host an enjoyable and educational get together. Here are a few tips.

Choose a theme

The world of wine is vast and varied, so it can be easier to narrow your event down to a particular theme. For example, you may decide to explore a specific region, such as Bordeaux, Tuscany, or simply New World wines such as produce from New Zealand or South Africa. 

Alternatively, you could focus on the particular characteristics of the wine, such as red, white, sparkling, or rosé, or the grape variety, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Sauvignon Blanc. This will help you to set the right scene for your party, and if your guests are bringing a bottle it will give them some guidance.

Select your guest list

Wine tasting parties work best with a smaller number of guests, to give everyone a chance to sample all the wines and offer their opinions. Around six to ten people is a good workable number. Make sure that all of your guests appreciate a good glass of wine and will find the event interesting. 

Set the scene

Early evening is an ideal time to start the party, when everyone is ready for some light nibbles to accompany the wine. Make sure that you have enough glassware for each guest to have a clean glass for each wine, otherwise the flavours and aromas will be contaminated. 

If you are lucky with the weather, you can hold the event al fresco. Set the scene with some festoon lighting or lanterns to provide a gentle glow as the sun sets.  

Make sure that there is enough comfortable seating for all the guests and convenient surfaces for pouring and resting wine glasses. Some ambient background music will help to create a relaxed and sociable atmosphere. 

Tips for tasting the wine

Pour a small amount of wine into a clean glass, and observe the colour and the clarity of the wine first. Give it a gentle swirl and lift it to your nose to detect the aromas. Finally, take a sip and consider the flavour profile of the wine. Wine has complex flavours and you may notice different notes the longer you savour the wine.

Discuss your impressions of the wine with your friends, noting any favourites that you may wish to use for future gatherings.