Wine Tasting: How To Do A Party

If you are having a wine tasting party or just will be having a few friends over to taste some wine before dinner, there are several key things that you should keep in mind when doing so. 

 There is no doubt that your goal will be to provide a wonderfully flavored wine to them, but there are also rules and even etiquette that should be followed along the process.  Learning these things can help to make any gathering a successful one.

First off, who are you serving?  When providing wine to your guests, the host should always pour a glass of wine to the older individuals there.  Follow this with the women in attendance.  Men should be served next and the host should always be served last.  This will allow for everyone to be given the wine that they need without insulting anyone along the way.

But, still, do you know what foods you should provide to the guests when the goal is to taste wine?  Most don’t realize that there should be some foods used during the process and they should be carefully selected.  For example, a platter that offers water crackers (no salt on them!) as well as some bread that offers a very mild or no taste to it. 

 This is excellent for using as a palate cleanser.  You shouldn’t provide anything that is overly flavored because it will change the flavor that is experienced in the wine, which is not what you are after.  For many, it is difficult not to provide much more to their guests.  But, keep those foods for later.

You can also provide your guests with water to drink as well as to wash their glasses with after they have tasted one type of wine and will be moving on to the next.  A bit of water for this is required especially when several wines will be tasted as it keeps the flavors separate.  Some individuals will want to drink a sip of water after each taste of wine and that’s something you should plan for.

Wine tasting is something that you should prepare for.  There is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to provide your guests with a luxurious wine or two to allow them to actually taste wine the right way.  Teach them the proper techniques for doing so.  After all, you are giving them a wonderful gift!