| Wine tasting parties are a great way to celebrate | | | | appreciate. |
| just about any occasion, and have become a | | | | Tip #5: Have Enough Glasses |
| growing trend. One of the key reasons for their | | | | Make sure that you have enough wine glasses for |
| popularity is that they often provide a fun, | | | | everyone in the party. The key here is to have |
| relaxed atmosphere in which wine enthusiasts can | | | | additional glasses in reserve. Having a these set |
| learn about and explore different wines. | | | | aside will help to keep from situations that could |
| These parties should be about asking questions, | | | | otherwise be a bit uncomfortable. |
| experimenting with new wines, and having fun. | | | | Tip #6: Do A Bit Of Homework |
| However, you might be surprised to find that | | | | Since you will be the host of the wine tasting |
| wine tasting parties can also be enlightening while | | | | party, you should be able to answer some basic |
| simultaneously being a very fun way to entertain | | | | questions your guests may have about the wines |
| and make friends. | | | | they are tasting. You don't have to know every |
| With a little planning and creativity it's easy to | | | | single fact about every wine selection, but being |
| host a wine-tasting party that's sure to impress | | | | able to answer some basic questions for your |
| your guests as well as yourself. Here are some | | | | quests will definitely help to add to their |
| tips that will be sure to make your first wine | | | | enjoyment of your wine tasting party. People |
| tasting party a smashing success. | | | | often enjoy themselves very much as they try |
| Tip #1: Decide A Theme | | | | new wines. Oftentimes they wold like to be able |
| The first step to having a wine tasting party is | | | | to find that same selection again. |
| deciding the theme. There is no limit for the | | | | Tip #7: Select The Proper Number Of Guests |
| theme that you select. You could choose to have | | | | You will need to consider how many people to |
| the theme be a specific country, in which wines | | | | invite. This will help to make your wine tasting |
| from that country will be featured. Another option | | | | parties a success because the proper number will |
| would be to select a theme based on the seasons | | | | help to enhance the social element while, at the |
| or holidays. Regardless of what you select, the | | | | same time, may it enjoyable for everyone |
| theme for your party will definitely set the tone | | | | without exhausting your resources. On average, |
| for the entire occasion. | | | | mid-sized wine tasting parties are about 15 people. |
| Tip #2: Greet Each Guest | | | | When deciding how much wine to buy for your |
| As the host of your wine tasting parties, you | | | | party, keep in mind that for tasting purposes, |
| should be there to greet all your guests as they | | | | each pour should be about two ounces. |
| arrive. It may be a good idea to give each person | | | | Tip #8: Provide Dump Buckets For Discarded |
| a brief "overview" of the layout so that they will | | | | Wine |
| be able to easily find the restrooms, wine glasses, | | | | Guests may not finish the entire sample of wine. |
| drinking water, dump buckets, etc. | | | | It is a good idea to have pitchers or empty |
| As the host it will be your responsibility to make | | | | buckets for discarded wine. Also be sure to keep |
| the evening easy for your guests. Greeting them | | | | a pitcher of water at room temperature next to |
| as they arrive will start the night off on the right | | | | each dump bucket to allow guests to rinse their |
| foot. | | | | cups after they have discarded the unused wine. |
| Tip #3: Make It Sociable | | | | You will also probably want to provide a container |
| One of the best wine tasting party experiences | | | | for the unused water too. |
| happens when guests are able to integrate | | | | Tip #9: Provide Plenty Of Drinking Water |
| learning about wine as they enjoy themselves | | | | Believe it or not, wine tasting can make you |
| socially. In fact, wine tasting parties are excellent | | | | thirsty. For this reason, it is helpful to have bottled |
| settings to make new friends. Be sure not to | | | | water on hand. Bottled water can also be useful |
| invite too many, or too few people (see tip # 7 | | | | for guests that want to rinse their mouths |
| below). You will want to have a fair amount of | | | | between wine samples. |
| familiar faces mixed together with new ones. | | | | Tip #10: Have Lots Of Fun And Relax |
| Tip #4: Select a Price Range | | | | Throwing wine tasting parties can be fun. It will be |
| When choosing which wines you should use for | | | | memorable by making sure that the whole |
| your wine tasting party it is important to | | | | experience is something that your guests will |
| remember that the wines that you choose should | | | | enjoy. By following these ten tips you will be able |
| be in the same price range from one another. | | | | to relax and have fun because you will know that |
| Keeping the range of prices narrow usually results | | | | you have covered all the bases for all of your |
| in keeping the quality of wines narrow. This will be | | | | wine tasting parties. |
| a nice detail that your quests will be sure to | | | | |