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In Good TasteHosting the perfect wine tasting party from your own homeBy Erika Lenkert
 Whether you need to uncork a few prized wines before they pass their prime or simply want to throw a fun party, a wine tasting is an elegant and interactive way to entertain. Follow the advice offered here, and guests will raise their glasses to a good time had by all. Planning the Perfect Party
There are a number of ways to create a wine tasting, from a lighthearted soiree to a more formal sit-down affair that a true connoisseur would love. Andrea Immer Robinson, one of 14 female Master Sommeliers in the world, recommends the more casual, social tasting with a cocktail-party environment and various wine-tasting stations. She suggests placing one variety of wine at each station and pairing it with a complementary food.
She also recommends placing a card at each station with an interesting fact about that particular wine. It works well to encourage guests to mingle from station to station, enjoying the tasting while learning about each wine variety. The result is a party that’s flexible enough to accommodate large guest lists and entertain friends who have dramatically varied wine knowledge or interest. Besides, Robinson promises, “You can be social and enjoy it and learn a little bit.”
Setting the Scene
For the most successful walk-about affair, Robinson suggests scattering self-serve wine stations around your house, deck or back patio to encourage traffic flow. She also hints, “Keep the food pairing lighthearted and unexpected, such as Chardonnay and popcorn. People are always surprised at how good they taste together.” Other whimsical combos that top her list are Riesling and sushi or Asian dumplings, Sauvignon Blanc with guacamole and Shiraz with mini hamburgers. Complement the tasting station with cocktail plates, napkins and a card outlining the details about the wine and its food pairing.
Finally, group wine glasses and a stack of the day’s tasting menus on a table near the entrance, to encourage guests to begin tasting upon arrival. With a glass in hand and knowledge of the wine stations to look for, guests can lead their own tasting and leave you free to mingle and swirl, sniff and sip.
Picking the Grapes
With thousands of current-release wines hitting the market every year, tasting choices are endless. To narrow the options, go with a theme. One that Robinson regularly suggests is a basic tasting of the six major grape varieties, which she calls “the benchmarks for the wine world:” Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet-Merlot and Syrah-Shiraz. Another option is to take tasters on a tour of one of the world’s great growing areas by serving classic examples from regions within a specific country, such as France or Italy.
After you’ve decided on a theme, it’s time to pick the wine. If you’re pulling corks with nothing but celebration in mind, any brand you enjoy is perfect to serve. But for those who want to impart guests with a few wine fundamentals, Lisa Minucci of wine resource company Vintrust offers some good advice: “Choose wines that typify the region or varietals you’re showcasing.”
Seeking a Sommelier
If you have uncertainties about your favorite Chardonnay or Cabernet, seek help from the pros. Enlist them to help pull selections from your cellar or wine store shelves. Hire them to work with a chef or caterer to create fantastic food pairings. Or have them write and print materials about the featured wines and food pairings.
Sources for qualified help include local restaurants with professional wine staff and trusted retail outlets with knowledgeable employees. And of course, you can always turn to the Internet: mastersommeliers.org allows you to request referrals to wine experts in your area. Through Vintrust (877-846-8787 or www.vintrust.com), you can hire one of the nation’s top restaurant sommeliers to organize the event, come to your home and host the tasting with you.
If your party has a substantial headcount, you may also want to hire servers from a local catering company or restaurant to clear and replenish plates, napkins and glasses and to restock food platters.
Glass Act
Finally, in addition to planning the theme and arrangement of your wine-tasting party, an authentic tasting event should also provide guests with the proper tasting tools.
“All wine tastes better in a good glass,” promises Robinson. As a result, proper stemware should be high on your equipment list. Robinson recommends an all-purpose style of glass that’s thin-rimmed and has a tulip shape and ample capacity. If you need more glasses than you own, rent a high-quality option from your local party rental company. Factor two glasses per person, since guests often misplace their glasses and start anew.
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