Wine tasting has been popular for generations, and with so many delicious wines, it is easy to see why. A wine tasting presents a unique opportunity to try new wines and enjoy drinks with friends and family.
Plenty of people attend these events in public spaces all around Australia, but some people are looking for a new alternative. These days, in-home wine tasting is becoming more popular than ever. Read on to learn how to enjoy your very own private wine tasting at home.
Why Host a Private Wine Tasting?
A private wine tasting experience is an opportunity to bring together people that you love in a fun and relaxing way. Wine tastings offer you and your guests an opportunity to lounge about, explore new wines, and learn more about your tastes. By hosting your very own wine tasting experience, you can create an event that visitors will be talking about for years to come.
How to Host an In-Home Wine Tasting
Every wine tasting is different depending on the interests of the person hosting the event. You might want to go with a specific theme, and your event might be focused on a type of celebration. When designing your in-home wine tasting, it helps to focus on a few key considerations.
Choose a Theme
Private wine tastings can come in a wide range of different themes. You might prefer to have a traditional and classy gathering, or you might choose a regional theme and select wines that match. There are plenty of opportunities here. Choose one that suits the interests of your guests. Popular options include wines from specific regions or countries, older wines or incredibly modern wines, wines with specific ages, or even something fun like wines with unique labels.
Create a Wine List
At the center of every wine tasting experience is the wonderful wine that makes it possible. To create a great event, choose several different wines in different styles. Make sure that there is enough of each type of wine for every guest to sample. In most cases, you will want to choose six or more wines so there is a nice variety. Focusing on mostly whites wines or red wines can give a distinct theme and point of comparison to your wine list. Depending on the event, you might prefer to focus on different kinds of dessert wines, or offer a little bit of everything for a completely exploratory experience.
Choose Proper Pairings
Wine tastings might be centered around wine, but everyone knows that wine is best paired with the right foods. People frequently choose meats, cheeses, or specialty sandwiches to pair with their wines. It helps to look up what kind of foods complement the wines that you choose. Gouda, cheddar, and havarti are popular cheese favorites. Prosciutto, finocchiona, and soppressata are popular meat options.
What Kinds of Wine to Include
Whether you’re from Sydney, Melbourne, or somewhere in between, your in-house wine tasting will be focused completely on the wines that you choose. Since this is the case, it is beneficial to choose a distinct variety of wines so that the tasting is fun for everyone and offers a unique experience. Consider the following wine options.
Sauvignon Blanc
Known for its origins in France, this white wine is a light and flavorful wine option that most guests will enjoy. It is approachable and offers a pleasant taste with different flavor notes.
Rose
Rose wine has been gaining in popularity in recent years and can be found in traditional and sparkling options. It offers a slightly more pronounced flavor than a standard white wine, and it looks stylish too!
Pinot Noir
This is another classic from France, but it brings a little something extra. Made using the Pinot Noir grape, which is commonly labeled as the best grape for winemaking, this delicious red wine is flavorful and offers a deep fruity taste.
Bordeaux
For a wine tasting experience that offers an educational point of interest, look no further than a Bordeaux. Made in the most prominent winemaking region in the world, it offers a truly special taste. This commonly blended wine adds a refined touch to any private wine tasting.
Sparkling
When in doubt, offer your guests a little sparkling wine or champagne to start the experience off on the best foot. This fun option brings a celebratory touch to any event. Sparkling variations can be found in all different kinds of wines, so be sure to choose one that suits everything else at the table.
Fun Ideas for Your Wine Tasting
A wine tasting is not simply a gathering of individuals who enjoy trying different wines. In-house wine tastings present a unique opportunity to dazzle and entertain your guests with fun games. You don’t need to be an expert to enjoy a wine tasting. Simple games can provide something special for every single one of your guests.
Blind Taste Tests
Blind taste tests are one of the most entertaining and exploratory games that can invite guests into the experience. Encourage your guests to try different wine offerings without looking, then ask them what they taste. It can be interesting to see what people come up with, and it is always fun.
You don’t need to be a wine expert to guess at flavor notes. In fact, your guests will be delighted when they actually guess a flavor correctly. This game can be played by asking them to guess what kind of wine they are drinking, or what flavors are inside of it. Either way, it is a lighthearted game that is sure to inspire laughter.
Guess-the-Price Games
It is no secret that wine comes at drastically different price points. You can buy a bottle of wine for $6–or you can buy one for $6000. Hiding the wine bottles and asking guests to guess how much each kind of wine costs can be a hilarious and thrilling way to pass the time. Allow each guest to write down their price estimates for each bottle of wine, or simply ask them to guess which wine is the most expensive. The results are always fun to read out loud!
Conclusion
A wine tasting is as fun at home as it is for an office event. Hosting your very own wine tasting is an opportunity to bring people together, have a lot of fun, and—of course—enjoy delicious wine. Remember that there is no right or wrong way to host your own wine tasting. Make it fun, silly, classy, or some combination of everything. What matters is that you will create fun memories with the people around you, and you might just learn something too!