Things You'll Need:
- Four to six different wines
- Ice water for rinsing palates between wines
- Dumping receptacle
- Wine glass rinse
- Wine glass for each person
- Cards with description of each wine
- Pen and paper for each person
- Cheese and French bread
- Napkins
- Small plates
- Decorations
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Step 1
Buy or design your own wine or special theme invitations with RSVP requested. Send them out three weeks in advance. You can choose a number of different themes. The wines can be new on the market suggested by a local wine connoisseur. Or you can try wines from a specific part of the country or world. Perhaps you want each couple to bring a favorite wine. Or maybe taste wines that are mentioned in movies or novels. Just remember to be adventuresome yet practical from a taste and cost standpoint.
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Step 2
Make or buy table decorations based on the theme. Party stores normally have decorations for wine tastings. Check books or websites that offer suggestions for thematic parties. For example, if you are trying wines from different parts of the world, you can use a global theme for decorations.
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Step 3
Pick four to six wines of different grape varieties, such as two whites and three reds, and accompanying cheese to complement the selection. Rule of thumb: Keep it as simple and straightforward as possible, especially if you are a novice. One bottle of wine normally serves about 10 samples of 1½ ounces for each tasting. Also buy several additional bottles for drinking at the end of the tasting--your guests may want to have more of the wine they liked best. You may also serve other light foods to eat with the after-tasting drinks.
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Step 4
Make a separate card that describes each wine and give one to the guests before the tasting. Then discuss the details of what they will be tasting. Your wine tasters may want to take notes, so provide a pen and paper.
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Step 5
Have a place to discard the wine left in the glasses after each tasting and a way to rinse the glasses for the next taste. Also offer ice water and different types of breads to cleanse the pallet.
