How To Host A Wine Tasting

If you're looking for a fun time to learn about wines and socialize with friends over a glass or two, you'd better learn how to host a wine tasting. Hosting a wine tasting doesn't have to be expensive or elaborate if you know just a few tips.

1. For ease of sending out invitations, consider using an online service such as evite.com. Evite allows you to simply create your invitation from a slew of templates. Add in the email addresses of those you want to have to your wine tasting, and hit "send." Your evites will be sent immediately and the online service will track who is coming or not. You can even add information about what items you'd like others to bring. For a decent turnout for your wine tasting party, select eight to ten friends.
2. Hosting a wine tasting is fine but you can cut your clean up time by using small plastic cups for the tastings. There's really no need to use glass wine glasses which have to be rinsed between each sampling of wine. Using small four ounce cups which can be tossed will make hosting your wine party more enjoyable. Purchase clear plastic though so you can see the "legs" on red wines.
3. Select some water crackers and mild cheese to pair with your wines. Water crackers are plain in flavor and can be used to clear the palate between sips of wine.
4. Select six bottles of wine, from a driest white to a full bodied red. Go to a full service specialty wine store and ask if there is a sommelier who you may speak to about what exact wines to purchase. Don't focus on very expensive wines as the name of the game is to find affordable wines which are pleasant to the palate.
5. Have the name and phone number of local taxis available for those who might over imbibe. A good host of a wine tasting party certainly doesn't want to be responsible for filling the streets with drunk drivers so call taxis as needed to ensure your guests arrive home, safe and sound.