Wine with friends. It doesn't get any better than this!
Feb 07 '00
Over the years I have conducted many wine tasting at my house. These tasting provide a setting to socialize with friends and the opportunity to taste many different bottles of wine. While the basic concept of all wine tasting parties is the same, on some I have provided the wines and others each guest is informed of the nights theme and they provide a bottle. Regardless of how the wines get there the parties have always been a hit.
Before the party begins.
My parties include a small group of close friends that share my interest in wine. They must be willing to provide a bottle or share the cost of the wines purchased for the evening. Wine tasting involves all of your senses so I ask them to not wear any body scents and smoking is discouraged. This will allow you and your guests to enjoy the wines to the fullest. A table is set with a white tablecloth and one glass per bottle at each setting. The white tablecloth will provide a neutral backdrop for wine color comparison. Brown-bag each wine and number the bags sequentially. This type of wine tasting is called a "blind tasting”, as your guests won't know which wines are in which glasses, and will not be influenced by brands or labels.
What wines to taste?
Selection of wines can be done in a variety of ways. You can choose several different bottles of the same variety and year but from different regions (for example, within Napa Valley, all of California or from different countries). Or, you can select several bottles of different red or white to compare the differences between the varieties. One thing I do not do is mix red and white wine at the same sitting. While you as a host may be able to select a grouping that may complement each other but if the guests are bringing the wines you may end up with a grouping that ranges from dry reds to sweet dessert wines. Keep it simple and make sure your wines have a common theme.
Getting started.
Pour each guest an equal portion of each wine. Portions will vary depending upon the number of guests but should not exceed a third of a glass. Provide each guest with a note pad and pencil to write their tasting notes. This will allow them to rate the wines during the testing. I have made up tasting sheets that provide space to write opinions and have a numerical ranking system. This helps some of my friends that know what they like but are not refined wine tasters.
Rating the wines.
There are four areas on which I have people rate the wines, appearance/color, smell and taste and overall impression.
Appearance.
Have your guests hold their glass against the white tablecloth and observe the wine's color and clarity. The wine should be clear, not cloudy or have particular matters floating in it. Wine color is dependent on the grape variety, the fermentation process and age. White wines darken with age and reds become lighter. Do not get hung up upon the process just note the characteristics of your wine.
Smell.
After noting the appearance everyone should smell and taste the wines and note their impressions. Many wine experts claim to be able to differentiate aromas including a variety of fruit, honey, vanilla, butterscotch, tobacco, cedar, coffee and chocolate. Most people are not going to be able to detect these aromas. Have them try to detect aromas of grape, flowers, vinegar or yeast. I have found that by not trying to find to many of the multitude of aromas a professional taster may find my guests can enjoy more of the complex aromas present.
Have your guests swirl the wine in their glass. By holding the glass near their nose they should be able to smell the characteristic scents associated with the variety being tasted.
Taste.
Tasting the wine is why all of your guests are there. Have them look for different characteristics such as an astringent sensation in some reds from the grape tannins. Some white wines have a fruity taste, don’t worry about the exact fruit. Dessert wines will be can sweet and not to everyone’s liking. Rate the body of the wine, wines with less alcohol should be light-bodied, while those with higher alcohol should be medium or full-bodied. Rate the aftertaste of the wine, quality wines should have a long pleasant aftertaste.
Overall.
My overall rating is simple. On a scale of one to ten, did you like the wine or not.
What food should you provide?
You should provide your guests with plenty of water and neutral flavored crackers, not salted, and/or cheese. I have found the Brie, cheddar and Camembert go well with reds while Swiss, mozzarella and Colby match up nice with most whites. You should also provide spittoons in case your guests do not wish to drink everything they taste. This may not seem necessary but having your guests get up to spit wine in your sink is a distraction to the party. Large paper cups will be sufficient.
Finishing up.
Let the party find it’s own pace. This is something that should be enjoyed, not rushed. When everyone has completed the tasting and ratings take the bottles out of the bags and discuss and compare notes. I usually find that opinions vary and the favorite bottle may not be the biggest brand name or most expensive. Have fun with these parties. Be careful with the amount of wine you consume, especially if your guests are driving home. You may not become a wine expert but you will certainly taste some new and exciting wines. On several occasions we have shared the cost of a case of wine the group liked. This is an easy way to enjoy the wine again at a reduced cost.
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Epinions.com ID:
TSomes
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Member: Tedd Somes
Location: Bolton, CT.
Reviews written: 160
Trusted by: 415 members
About Me:
Just an ordinary guy with opinions on life and the world around us.
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