| You don't have to be a wine expert to host a | | | | look of one wine over another, but prefer the |
| terrific, fun and educational wine tasting party. | | | | aroma of another. You may also find one wine |
| This is a great way to socialize with your friends | | | | with a wonderful aroma, but it may be too bitter |
| and learn a little about wine at the same time. | | | | for your liking. - Sight: Examine the wine and |
| Hosting a wine tasting party is an excellent way | | | | make notes about the color, clarity and |
| to expand your taste buds, find great inexpensive | | | | transparency of the wine. Rank the color of the |
| wines that you enjoy and expand your | | | | wine on a scale of 1 to 10 based on your personal |
| knowledge of wine. You can focus your wine | | | | fondness. - Smell: Swirl the wine around in the |
| tasting party on a particular style or theme that | | | | glass to help awaken the aromas and take a |
| may compliment the dinner you will be serving | | | | good sniff of the bouquet and aroma. Rank the |
| later in the evening. For example, if you intend on | | | | wine on a scale of 1 to 10 based on your individual |
| serving a nice tomato based pasta dish, ask your | | | | liking. - Taste: Take a small sip and roll the wine |
| guests to bring a bottle of merlot that is under | | | | over your tongue inhaling slightly to release the full |
| $10. Setting a price limit helps prevent that one | | | | flavors. Different parts of the tongue register |
| guest from trying to buy the best wine by | | | | different tastes so be sure to roll the wine around |
| bringing the most expensive wine. Follow these | | | | in your mouth. Try to focus on the characteristics |
| simple steps for each bottle to do the tasting: 1. | | | | of the wine such as the body, acidity, tannin |
| Place each bottle of wine in a brown bag and | | | | (bitterness), sweetness and fruitiness of the wine. |
| number the bag so the guests cannot see the | | | | Also be sure to focus on the aftertaste of the |
| label. For a more classy approach, consider using | | | | wine. Again, make notes on the flavors and |
| decorative wine bags to cover the bottles. 2. | | | | subtleties of the wine and rate it on a scale of 1 |
| Prepare your table setting with glasses, crackers | | | | to 10 based on your individual liking. 6. Once all of |
| and some water for each guest. Crackers or | | | | your guests have finished tasting the wine be |
| bread can be used, but they should be of a | | | | sure to clean your glass or start with a fresh one. |
| neutral flavor. Stay away from flavored crackers | | | | Also be sure each guest cleanses their pallet by |
| so you can truly clear the palette. Crackers and | | | | eating a small cracker and/or drinking a small |
| cheese may seem like a great idea, but it should | | | | amount of water. After you have cycled through |
| be avoided because the cheese will actually | | | | all of the wines, have each guests finalize their |
| influence the flavors of the wine. If your guests | | | | notes and identify their most and least favorite |
| may be hungry, a nice loaf of French bread can | | | | wine for each of the three senses: sight, smell |
| be used instead of crackers. 3. Be sure to have a | | | | and taste. Also have each individual pick their |
| separate container for those guests who want to | | | | overall favorite and least favorite wine. Begin |
| pour out the excess wine. Remember, this is | | | | comparing notes for each of the wines. Once the |
| about fun, education and friendship. Getting | | | | favorites are identified by each individual, remove |
| intoxicated is not the objective here and will most | | | | the bags from the wine bottles to identify the |
| certainly deaden your taste buds. 4. Open the | | | | winners and losers. If serving a meal afterwards, |
| first bottle of wine and fill the glass only about | | | | offer your guests some of the wine just sampled |
| 20%. For red wines, you may want the wine to | | | | with the meal. This will further expand on the |
| breathe somewhat by pouring off about ½ | | | | tasting experience as foods are introduced to |
| glass from each bottle. For white and blush style | | | | complement the wines. This can be a fun and |
| wines you may want to chill slightly before | | | | exciting way to host a wine tasting party in your |
| serving. 5. Sample the wine and rate each wine | | | | home with some of your friends. Of course, |
| according to the following three senses: sight, | | | | please drink responsibly and select designated |
| smell and taste. You may find that you like the | | | | drivers to ensure the safety of your guests. |