Spring is here! At least, on some days. Other days, it seems feels like winter will never leave. A few days interspersed have been in the 80s, setting us up for the summer heat. Are you ready to heat up the party scene, but not ready for a full-on dinner party? A wine tasting party is the perfect answer! So this Thursday we raise our glasses to the Spring Wine Tasting Party. Cheers!
A wine tasting party is almost a redundancy of terms. How can you have wine tasting without it becoming a party? Said differently, how can you have a party without tasting wine? A conundrum worthy of a Zen master. Never mind, let’s just get this party started!
Although not necessary, wine tasting parties can be even more fun with a theme. Don’t stress too much, though, because your guests aren’t going to be super-critical about your theme (as long as there’s wine). The theme can be simple, like a particular varietal (assemble 4-6 Pinot Noir offerings, for example) or maybe a face-off between two local wineries. Start sipping on some wine, a theme will come to you.
Preparing for a wine tasting party isn’t tough, either. You need wine glasses, lots of them. One way to reduce the number of orphaned glasses is to have a variety of wine glass charms available. That way your guests will be able to recognize their glass, even after an hour of tasting.
Set out some water pitchers and tumblers. Your guests will appreciate your thoughtfulness. Wine tasting is thirsty work, so it is important to stay hydrated. Disposable plastic water tumblers with a Sharpie pen for writing names on the side can help keep the clutter under control.
Your crowd may be different, but we are a competitive bunch. We can’t taste wine without the “compare and contrast” brain-muscles kicking in. That can be handled a number of ways, but a score sheet for each guest can be a fun way to keep the conversation spirited. “What? You only gave that Cabernet six points?”
Don’t forget to set out some crackers and cheese. Nothing too assertive, but some nibbles are really appreciated as the party gets going. Possibly some sliced baguettes and spinach dip? Or our favorite: Judi’s amazing beef dip paired with a cracker or even a carrot stick. Not kidding, if there’s any beef dip left, nobody’s going to judge you on your choice of delivery device.
So, are you ready for your first spring wine tasting party? It is quick, easy, and a whole lot of fun. Don’t forget to invite us!
About the Author: John grills a mean steak and is always in the market for another wine fridge. Believes that if a winery has more than 10 employees, it's probably too big. Buys wine faster than he drinks it, but who cares?
