| It is easy to make your wine tasting event | | | | game easier and more enjoyable, serve the wines |
| special and memorable. Make it blind and give it a | | | | at their optimal serving temperature as this will |
| theme! | | | | bring out their bouquet and you can better taste |
| (Blind wine tasting means the guests will not know | | | | their differences. |
| which bottle they are drinking. You don't have to | | | | (2) Prepare the following: |
| blindfold your guests; but you do have to bag | | | | Remember the following tips when you are |
| your bottles to conceal their identities.) | | | | preparing for your wine tasting party: |
| (1) Pick a theme: | | | | 6-12 people are the optimal group size for wine |
| Theme gives the event a purpose, a game, and a | | | | tasting. |
| discussion topic. We have listed some of our all | | | | If you have more than 12 people, each will get a |
| time favorite themes. Free feel to use them. | | | | tiny pour from a bottle of wine, or you will have |
| Take a Personality Test - guess the grape | | | | to get 2 bottles for each tasting. Keep this in |
| variety: | | | | mind when sending out the invitations. |
| Buy 6 different grape varietals. Pass out a note | | | | Bag the wines and use tape! |
| (or blind tasting guide) that describes the | | | | Tape the bags to the bottles so that they do not |
| personality of each grape; for example, Sauvignon | | | | slip during pouring. Label them alphabetically |
| Blanc is green, grassy, and perfumes of | | | | (A,B,C...) Using numbers can get quite confusing |
| gooseberries. Have the guests taste the wine and | | | | when you are sharing your tasting notes and |
| map them to the listed grape variety. | | | | scores. |
| Recommended using these varietals as each has | | | | Prepare tasting note guide and answer sheet for |
| unique personality: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, | | | | your guests. |
| Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and | | | | This preparation will make your night so much |
| Riesling. | | | | easier - they save you from explaining yourself |
| Name the country/region: | | | | hundred times. Also, your guests will learn more |
| Pick 1 or 2 grapes (e.g. Chardonnay and Cabernet | | | | about wine. |
| Sauvignon) and buy from 3 different countries | | | | Prepare (or cater) finger food. |
| regions (or 6 if you only pick 1 grape). Pass out a | | | | Pick food that can help rinse the pallet without |
| wine tasting guide listing all the countries/regions. | | | | overshadowing the wines. The simplest - get |
| To make the game easier, you can provide the | | | | some bread and "light" cheese. |
| typical characteristics of these regional wines and | | | | Have a jug of water and a water bucket out so |
| the temperature range. Ask the guests to map | | | | your guests can rinse their glass between each |
| the wines to the countries/regions. | | | | tasting. |
| Are you a good shopper - guess the price: | | | | Prepare a prize for the winner. |
| A variation of Name the Country game. Here you | | | | (3) Final tips: |
| pass out a wine tasting guide listing all the | | | | - Organize the wine tasting so your guests move |
| purchase prices and ask the guests to map the | | | | from whites to reds, from sweet to dry, and |
| bottle to the value. | | | | from light-bodied to full-bodied reds. |
| Odd one out: | | | | - Do not use paper / plastic cups. Wine glasses |
| Have one bottle that is different (in grape variety) | | | | can be a great help in blind wine tasting. You can |
| from the others and ask the guest to find it. | | | | hold the glass by the stem and swirl without |
| Color coordination: | | | | spilling. |
| Buy a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, | | | | - Tell your guests not to wear perfumes or |
| Rose, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. | | | | smoke. Aroma gives the best hints in blind wine |
| Ask the guests to rank the bottles on a color | | | | tasting. |
| scale, going from light to dark. To make this | | | | ENJOY! |