{"id":10051,"date":"2019-11-04T14:45:33","date_gmt":"2019-11-04T14:45:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/divinonyc.com\/blog\/?p=10051"},"modified":"2021-04-19T20:05:28","modified_gmt":"2021-04-20T00:05:28","slug":"how-to-host-a-wine-tasting-party-at-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/divino.wine\/how-to-host-a-wine-tasting-party-at-home\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Host a Wine Tasting Party"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

DiVino may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

A wine tasting party at home is a great way to learn more about wine while catching up with friends. At DiVino, private wine tasting events are one of our specialties. Here are some tips on how to create a memorable and educational wine tasting. Check out our food and wine pairing guide<\/strong><\/a> for wine tasting party menu ideas. You can even watch a video<\/a><\/strong>! <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Step 1: Choose a Wine Tasting Theme<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This can be as generic as California Chardonnay<\/em> or as specific as Left Bank Bordeaux from the 1982 vintage<\/em>. The idea is to create a selection of wines that you can compare and contrast. Your wine budget also matters. Some themes are more expensive than others, but you can find great wines for under $25 and create afantastic wine tasting experience.  The options are endless. Here are a few of our  time-tested favorites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Old World Versus New World<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For example, Malbec from Mendoza Argentina and Cahors Malbec from France or  Bordeaux versus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Same Grape Variety, Different Name (or Region)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For example,\nSauvignon Blanc from different countries like New Zealand, France, and Italy,\nor Sauvignon Blanc Versus Sancerre or Pouilly-Fum\u00e9, or Chardonnay from France\n(Chablis) versus California Chardonnay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Champagne and Sparkling Wine <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Taste your way through all different kinds of sparkling wines<\/strong><\/a> made in different ways, from Prosecco and Lambrusco to Cava, Cr\u00e9mant, and Champagne. Need some instant inspiration? Here are four Champagne-style wines from around the world<\/strong>.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shades of Ros\u00e9 <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Compare different ros\u00e9 wines made in different methods, like Saign\u00e9e or blending. Choose pale, salmon-colored Ros\u00e9 de Provence, a dark pink Rosato from Puglia in Southern Italy, and a Bandol from France or an American ros\u00e9 for contrast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vertical Wine Tasting <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Choose wines from the same appellation or even the same winery, from different vintages. Or do a Horizontal Wine Tasting<\/strong> with wines from the same vintage and appellation but different wineries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBlind Wine Tasting\n\n\n\n<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Test your skills and you experience by trying to tell the difference between grape varieties, for example Cabernet Sauvignon versus Pinot Noir, or Chardonnay versus Sauvignon Blanc. You can do a blind tasting with any wines! It all depends on what you feel most curious about or more comfortable with. Prosecco versus Champagne for beginners, and Champagne versus Classic Method wines from the around world<\/strong><\/a> for more experienced wine drinkers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Choose a Wine Tasting Theme<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Step 2: Supplies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Make sure you have everything you need before you pop the corks and get started. Here\u2019s a short list and a few recommended wine tasting tools. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Corkscrew<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The sommelier\u2019s choice, the barman\u2019s choice, and definitely my choice is a classic double-hinge corkscrew<\/a><\/strong> with a wire cutter. Once you\u2019ve learned to open a bottle with the double lever it\u2019s hard to go back. These come in all iterations from the simple ergonomic ridged one, which is easy to grip, to gilded and shiny versions or even a rustic wooden handle<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people are partial to the butterfly<\/strong><\/a>, or the winged corkscrew. It\u2019s handy for parties because it usually has a bottle opener on top. These are easy to use, but they can take a few tries and it\u2019s easy to over-stab and possibly damage the cork. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re opening very old bottles at your tasting, you night need the two-prong cork puller<\/a><\/strong>. These aren\u2019t the easiest to use, but if you\u2019re a collector of old vintage wines, keep this in your arsenal. Wine-soaked, old corks can easily crumble. Spend your time thoughtfully decanting rather than fishing out pieces of cork. Wedge the prongs along the edges of old, wine-softened corks and slowly twist to extract it. You\u2019ll get it with practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Wine Glasses<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Depending on what you\u2019re tasting and how serious you about the multisensory wine analysis, you\u2019ll need different types of glasses. Otherwise use a standard international tasting glass that works for red, white, ros\u00e9 and sparkling wine. We like this one for a set of 12<\/strong><\/a>, or this one for a set of six<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can absolutely use stemless wine glasses<\/a>, just don\u2019t let the wine heat up in your hand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n