Entertaining/ Party ideas: How to host a wine tasting party

From how to open a bottle of wine, tips on how to taste wine and even advice for selecting wines for your party. These videos will guide you through step by step and show you how to host your own wine tasting party.

Before you start planning your party here are some helpful hints to keep in mind

1. Send out an invitation to friends at least a week before, why not send out an evite (http://www.evite.com) 12-14 guests is usually a good number for 4-6 wines.

2. Allow 2-3 hours for setting up your party, if you have white wines make sure they have time to chill and red wines have time to breathe.

3. A 1 ½ oz to 2 oz pour is usually plenty for 4-6 wines, just make sure you have a wine glass for each guest. Wine charms are a great way for guests to identify their own glass avoiding confusion.

4. Why not have a theme for your party, it could be a country, a region you visited or even a varietal.

5. Providing a few easy snacks are always a good idea, it could be tapas for a Spanish wine tasting or try some local cheeses from a specific wine region.

6. Music to match your theme always helps create a fun ambience

7. Make sure there are pitchers of water for your guests to drink in between wines and also to rinse out glasses between wines

8. Don't forget a dump bucket for wines that are not finished

9. Bread or crackers are a good idea for guests to munch on and cleanse their palate between wines

10. Tasting cards for each guest allow for guests to record the details of each wine and what they like or dislike about it download wine tasting cards here (pdf)

11. Remember it's a party, above all have fun and enjoy yourself!

If you enjoyed your party why not turn it into a regular event. Wine Wednesdays are a great informal mid week get together for friends. If you can't host a party each week why not try going out to a local restaurant or wine bar. You will find that a number of restaurants and wine bars have half off all bottles of wine on Wednesday nights, making it a great affordable way to try a new place and great wines with friends.