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A wine tasting is an excellent way to introduce your friends and family to different drinks that they might not otherwise seek out themselves. Plus, this gathering provides a relaxing, social environment to catch up with people that you may not have spent time with recently. If you are planning on throwing a tasting party, below are several strategies to help it be successful.

How Can You Set Up a Wine Tasting at Home?

1. Keep It Intimate

While a large party is fun, a smaller wine tasting encourages conversation and allows guests to spend quality time together. Intimate events are also easier to plan and coordinate, as you won't need as many supplies. For instance, a standard bottle of wine contains about 25 ounces, and each tasting portion should be about 2 ounces. This means that if you invite a maximum of 12 guests, you'll only need one bottle of each varietal, which makes the party more affordable. 

2. Serve Strategically

A well-rounded wine tasting event should include drinks from around the world. In addition to offering reds and whites produced in Napa Valley or a local winery, serve varietals from international regions such as Bordeaux, Lombardy, and La Rioja. Since white and bubble varieties are lighter-bodied and contain fewer tannins, serve them before bolder options, such as merlots and malbecs, to prevent the latter drinks from overwhelming the other flavors.

wine tastings

3. Get the Right Glasses

The smell of the wine impacts its taste, so your guests should be able to get the full spectrum of senses with each sip. For example, serving reds in glasses with wide, deep bowls allows their fruity and spicy aromas to aerate, making each drink more fragrant. Glasses with shallow bowls make it easier to smell the delicate citrus and floral notes of white varietals. Fluted glasses have minimal surface area that helps prevent bubbles from going flat, improving the overall texture.

4. Serve Snacks

In addition to offering bread or crackers as palate cleansers, serve hors d'oeuvres that pair nicely with wine. Nutty Gruyere and Asiago cheeses can enhance the berry notes in pinot noir, while the acidity of champagne may contrast deliciously with creamy brie. Sweet prosecco and cava offer an excellent balance when you pair them with nuts and vegetable chips. Similarly, the mild sweetness of cabernet sauvignon and zinfandel can offset the bitter flavors of dark chocolate.

 

When you need wines for your tasting party, visit Wine & Spirits at 130 Main. This liquor store offers a selection of reds, whites, and bubbles, to customers throughout Boonville, NY. They also offer a 10% discount when you buy a case, helping you save money on your favorite varieties. Call (315) 942-2212 to ask about their in-stock selection, and visit the website to browse their inventory of spirits. 

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