| Throwing a wine tasting party is always | | | | So if you and your friends really enjoy sipping on |
| guaranteed to get a good response. There is | | | | a Merlot, you would simply choose Merlots from |
| nothing better than good friends sharing good | | | | four to six different wineries all bottled in the |
| wine. A wine tasting party is a great way for you | | | | same year. You could also go above and beyond |
| and your guests to learn more about wine. At a | | | | and try Merlots from different areas around the |
| wine tasting you will be able to experiment with | | | | globe. Try a Merlot from Australia, France, Spain |
| tastes that you might not have on your own. So | | | | and perhaps California. Wherever the wines you |
| grab your restaurant uniform and make your | | | | buy are from, you and your guests are sure to |
| guests feel as though they are in a fancy wine | | | | notice the subtle nuances as a result of this |
| tasting setting. | | | | focused tasting. |
| To begin planning your wine tasting party, you | | | | In addition to horizontal, there is also a vertical |
| need to decide what type of party you would like | | | | tasting. This entails serving wines while wearing |
| to host. To really make your party memorable, | | | | your restaurant shirt of one varietal from the |
| you could throw a party that pairs wine and | | | | same winery from several different vintages. This |
| chocolate. To throw a party with wine and | | | | means that you would pick your favorite local |
| chocolate, you should keep in mind that the wine | | | | winery, choose your varietal that everyone will |
| should be as sweet, if not sweeter than the | | | | enjoy, and then buy from several different |
| chocolate you are serving. Also, your best bet is | | | | vintages in a row. For example, if you enjoy your |
| to match lighter chocolate with light bodied wines. | | | | local Yakima, WA winery, buy their Cabernet |
| The same goes for stronger chocolate: a more | | | | Sauvignon from years 2002, 2003, 2004 and |
| full bodied wine is better. Try pairing a bittersweet | | | | 2005. This will bring to light just how different the |
| chocolate with a Zinfandel. Feel free to wipe that | | | | same wine can be from year to year depending |
| chopped up chocolate on your professional looking | | | | on the regions weather patterns. As a fun |
| restaurant uniforms, they will wash right up. | | | | addition, you could visit the winery and get any |
| Another great type of wine tasting is called a | | | | fun details about the grape growing conditions |
| horizontal tasting. This is a party that focuses on | | | | direct from the growers themselves. |
| one specific wine varietal from a particular year. | | | | |