How to Pick Music for a Wine-Tasting Party

Choosing music for a wine tasting is a responsibility you should take seriously. The music played in the background at any event frames it, and even though it is in the background, the music will get noticed, especially at a wine tasting.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Find your production method. If the wine-tasting venue has a built-in sound system, you're all set. If not, you may want to use an iPod hooked up to a couple of good speakers or a portable CD player. Do a sound check to make sure your system is adequate and in working order.

2. Assemble your library. You can get the music in front of you on a laptop screen or iPod, sit down with your CDs or just write out titles for play that you'll load up later.

3. Weed out music that doesn't fit the mood. The main criteria should be the genre. Heavy metal is usually not a good fit. Classical orchestral music is often a winning choice. Find music that suits the ethos of the wine tasting.

4. Discard music with inappropriate lyrics. This can go beyond just finding music with "swear words" or dance grooves full of ridiculous sexual innuendo. To manage the playlist, select songs based on the theme of their lyrics to try to predict what will really resonate with your guests.

5. Find international music for specific wine shows. If you will be featuring wines from abroad, whether it's Chile, Australia or France, represent those nations on your playlist, adding class to the wine-tasting event.

6. Make the playlist, extras and alternatives. Make sure to have enough music so you don't have to repeat any song more than once throughout the night. A short music loop can be very annoying to guests.