Wine Tasting Party

Do you have to be a sommelier to know something about wine? Well, if you want to tout yourself as an expert, perhaps but if you just want to enjoy a good glass of wine, go with your gut - or rather your mouth - and enjoy what tastes good to you. So, why not host a wine tasting party? Now before you hit the panic button, get uptight and claim to know nothing about wine, stop! We aren't proposing you sit around discussing bouquet and barrel fermenting. We want you to have a little fun.

You can buy wine tasting party kits from various sources on the internet and local shops. Don't want a kit? Here's what you need:

Guests - think about whom you know that likes and drinks wine and keep the numbers small
A few bottles of wine that you think you might like - both red and white. Depending on the size of the crowd plan on 2 bottles of each type. Or for an added twist, ask your guests to each bring 2 bottles of their favorite wine. If you do this you will need them to email or phone you with the wine information ahead of time.
Printed wine tasting cards that list the wines you purchased with some information from the bottle
Pencils in case guests want to make notes about their favorites
Wine glasses. We recommend 2 per person. One for tasting and one for later
Plain saltine or oyster crackers for guests to cleanse their palates
Still (plain) water for rinsing
Some good music, good conversationalists and a sense of fun!

If you want to add an extra flare to the party, why not serve a variety of champagnes instead. Have friends bring cava, prosecco, sparkling wine and champagne instead of a red or white wine.

At the end of the event, serve some crackers/bread, cheese and fruit or some other small/light appetizers and offer each guest a glass of his/her favorite wine. Wine charms are a fun thing to introduce at this point. Each person can pick her/her own and attach to the glass. Put on some music and enjoy the company. However, above all things, drink and serve responsibly!

Indra A Books, author of this and many other lifestyle articles is the owner and founder of ON THE GO 4 U, Personal Shoppers & Concierge Service in the Washington DC metropolitan area. The company's creed is to provide its clients with the ultimate life management experience. In addition to its shopping and concierge services, ON THE GO 4 U also publishes a monthly e-zine and conducts workshops on wardrobe, entertaining and decorating. For more information about the author and ON THE GO 4 U, please visit http://www.onthego4u.net

Related Articles:

Wine Tasting 101 - A Quick Guide For You to Enjoy and Appreciate Your Wines
Wine tasting is an area of wines where confusion reigns supreme. There is much mystique and tradition associated with tasting wines, but there is no need. By following a few steps, and more importantly understanding why you're following these steps, you'll enjoy trying different wines more and more.

I Love Italian Wine and Food - The Sicily Region
I love Italian wine and food so much that I am doing a series on the typical and special wines and foods of Italy's twenty regions. This article explores the Sicily region of southern Italy. Bargains abound. I'll make specific recommendations, and won't be silent if I'm unhappy with a wine.

I Love German Wine and Food - A Franconian Silvaner
I love German wine and food so much that I am doing a series on the typical and special wines and foods of Germany's thirteen wine regions. This article records the results of tasting a fine Silvaner wine from the southeastern region of Franconia both on its own and with food. Was it a bargain?

Making Wine At Home Is Delicious
If you never tried home made wine you are so missing out. It taste better, its cheaper and not to mention you made it yourself. If you think wine making at home is not worth your taste bud's time, you might want to have a quick read and see for yourself.

A Quick Tour Of Italy - Southern Veneto
I love touring Italy so much that I am doing a series on both the well known and the rarely visited tourist attractions of Italy's twenty regions. This short article explores sights in the southern part of the Veneto region in northern Italy including some history, local food, and Veneto wine. Please join me on this quick tour.

I Love German Wine And Food - A Baden Pinot Noir
I love German wine and food so much that I am doing a series on the typical and special wines and foods of Germany's thirteen wine regions. This article records the results of tasting a fine Pinot Noir wine from the southeastern region of Baden, both on its own and with food. Was it a bargain?

5 Keys To Cooking With Wine
Many of us have fond memories of the late Julia Child enthusiastically adding wine to many of her most popular dishes. Europeans, particularly the French and Italians, have been creating culinary masterpieces with wine for centuries. Americans, in recent times, have started adding wine to popular recipes. Achieving success cooking with wine is relatively easy, provided one follows some basic guidelines.

I Love French Wine and Food - A Bordeaux Rose
I love French wine and food so much that I am doing a series on the typical and special wines and foods of France's eleven wine regions. This article explores a rose wine from the Bordeaux region of southwestern France. Was it a bargain? I'll make specific recommendations, and won't be silent if I'm unhappy with a wine.

How to Give a Perfect Wine Tasting Party
Hosting the perfect wine tasting party will make you the talk of your social group. The perfect party will allow you to entertain your guests and ensure everyone is happy. You will feel less stressed and more able to enjoy the party yourself, too, when you know you have planned your party carefully.

How to Hold a Holiday Wine Tasting
A wine tasting party is a great, casual holiday party for tons of interactive fun. Ask your guests to bring a favorite bottle from your local region. Try mailing a handwritten note 6 weeks ahead of time if you're planning on hosting a holiday party 'there is a lot of competition for your guest's time around November and December, get your event in their calendar before it fills up!

Better Wine Tasting: The Winery Advisor Tasting Room Personality Profile
Want to know how to maximize your wine tasting experiences Of course, you can read blogs about wine, but I'd rather go to the tasting room and enjoy my wine right at the winery

City Discovery and the Art of Wine Touring
Beyond basic wine tasting, City-Discovery.com takes travelers to experience the best vineyards, wineries and cellars around the world.

Tasting time: Wine Tasting organized fashion the six themes - wine tasting - Food Industry
Have you already decided to hold a Wine Tasting party? Grape Wine The product will be a lot of Kam both fun, ready to meet up and have a very simple way, one of which is to choose a theme for your party, organize a theme of Wine Tasting party. The following are the six topics we recommend, you can consider to choose the one as the theme of the gathering is being prepared. If coupled with some cheese and some appetizers, everything was ok.

Dilemma Incurred With Wine Tasting And DUI Charges
If a person enjoys the taste of wine and likes to try new varieties it is very tempting to stop along the road when one sees a sign that says 'free wine tasting'. Driving through grape country on a hot day this seems an excellent way to cool off and, at the same time, try a new kind of wine. Unfortunately, if this happens too often one may have a problem encountering the dangers of Wine Tasting And DUI Charges.

Columbia Gorge Winery Assembles World-Class Wine Tasting Tour...at Home
The Columbia Gorge AVA boasts an array of varietals in just 40 miles; but, Cathedral Ridge Winery is taking that boast a step further by comparing our region to the top four wine growing regions in the world. This unassuming Oregon winery located in Hood River has spent the last 5 years perfecting their relationships with local grape growers, creating exceptional wines with fourth generation winemaker, Michael Sebastiani, and assembling a team to create and share their award- winning wines.