How to Throw a Red Wine Tasting Party

Red wine, the topic of many a song, poem and story, is one the most delicious things on Earth, attest aficionados of the drink. Generally known for being drier than its white counterpart, red wine runs the gamut of tastes from tooty-fruity to rich chocolate. Throwing a red wine tasting party is a great wine to sample the variety of the varietals. Read on to learn how to throw a red wine tasting party.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wine
• Wine opener
• Snacks for guests

1. Refine the guest list. Invite red wine lovers. Some people prefer white wine, others prefer beer and then there are those who don’t drink at all. Best to keep the guest list to red wine lovers. Bored guests or sick ones, won’t add to the fun of the party. Approximately, one bottle of wine will pour 12 tastings. The host decides how many bottles “to taste.”

2. Choose a theme. Unless it is the first foray into the world of reds, when sampling anything and everything speeds up the learning curve, narrow the wine list to genres such as type (merlot, syrah, Beaujolais and so on) or regions (Napa Valley, Rhone Valley, Santa Barbara County and the like). Fine tuning the focus of the party allows for more of a comparing apple to apples approach.

3. Get snobby. Talk the talk and use wine terminology. Angular, aroma, bouquet, buttery, flint and legs are some of the more common terms. Put on the best affected act and go to town. Make up new adjectives for the wines. Describe the contours of the glass.

4. Hide the labels, or not. It can be fun when no one knows what the wine is, and it develops the palate. On the other hand, seeing the labels can be quite educational and enhance the experience.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't forget to feed the guests. Cheese, cured meats, cracker and bread are standard wine fare.
• Red wine stains. Be careful with pouring and partying.