With the number of wine tastings in the area seemingly to drop through the summer months why not have one of your own. You can have an inexpensive home wine tasting party at your home that might even be more fun and productive then a public one. You pick the wines & you feel more open to share your thoughts on the wines around friends.

You may choose to do a traditional wine tasting party as we will explain below or have some fun and mix it up. You may even decide to make it a regular thing. Some people I know have for years had a bi-monthly meal/wine tasting with friends. They have a short wine tasting with apatizers followed by a meal in which they finish off the wine they tasted.

If you already have home tastings please let us know your methods and your successes.

Here is a wine tasting method by about.com:

A Wine Tasting party is an ideal way to get friends and family together to learn about wine and experiment with new or unusual varietals. Whether you are merely pairing wines with specific cheeses, or doing a vertical or horizontal tasting, you are sure to notice new nuances in both red wines and white wines as a result of the focused tasting. Read on for practical steps to help you host a tip top tasting experience.

Difficulty: Average

Time Required: 2-3 hours

Here’s How:

1. To begin your wine tasting party planning, you will need to decide what type of tasting you would like to host. There are many versions of wine tastings, from wine and cheese pairings to vertical, horizontal, price point and beyond. Types of Tastings Recommended Include:
   The Vertical Wine Tasting
   The Horizontal Wine Tasting
   Old World vs. New World Wine Tasting
   The Wine and Cheese Tasting
   The Wine and Chocolate Tasting
   The “Priceless” Wine Tasting
   The Price Point Wine Tasting
   The “Big Eight” Wine Tasting
2. Determine your guest list and send invites at least two weeks before your tasting (you may consider utilizing free online invites through: evite.com).
3. Design a tasting card that specifies the type of wine, the producing vineyard, the year and a brief description of the wine (usually found on the wine’s label). Make sure that each guest has their own tasting card to record the wine’s distinct appearance, aroma, flavor, and cheese pairing nuances.If you want to keep the tasting a bit more casual, simply supply guests with a pen and paper for them to jot down their own notes. Have them rate the wines - which wine did they like the best, least, etc.
4. To make your event a bit more challenging, offer a “blind tasting” experience. In this case, you still provide your guests with their individual tasting cards. However, you pour each wine without identifying the label (cover bottles with foil or a brown bag and mark with a number prior to serving), allowing them to incorporate all of their senses to identify the respective wines based on the labels’ descriptions. The guest that is able to identify the most wines correctly wins a prized bottle of wine or perhaps a book on the art of wine tasting.
5. Decorations for a wine tasting party can range from a white table cloth and candles to Old World, Tuscan faux paintings and vintage bottles scattered throughout your “tasting room.” In either case, remember to keep the atmosphere light and engaging. You may consider starting the evening with a bit of wine trivia, just to get the conversation rolling.
6. Still feel like you could use a bit more help in the planning and hosting of the Wine Tasting party? Then check out the SWILL® Wine Tasting Party Kit - includes tasting guidelines, fun invites, a step-by-step guide, wine bags, glass markers and of course, a corkscrew. [http://erclk.about.com/?zi=7/1j%5b8]Compare Prices of Tasting Party Kit[/link]

Tips:

1. Typically, when tasting wines, you will want to work from dry to sweet with white wines and progress from light to full-bodied with red wines. Also, it is ideal to start with younger wines and move to the more mature wines at the end. Have your guests sample each wine by itself, assessing the wine’s unique color, aroma and flavors.
2. The general rule of thumb for determining how much wine to pour per person is: 2 ounces of wine per glass, per wine for each tasting.
3. Providing plain bread and water between wines, allows for guests to cleanse their palate and sets them up to fully experience the next wine.

What You Need:

• Four to Six Wines
• Appetizers - you might consider offering some light munchies before the tasting
• Loaf of bread – provide plain bread for guests to cleanse palate between wines
• Wine glasses – one per guest
• Pitcher of water – for rinsing glasses and palates between wines
• Dump bucket – for discarding wine before next pouring
• Tasting cards – for describing and recording each wine tasted
• Aluminum foil or brown bags to cover wine bottles if you opt for blind tasting
• Pens and Paper
• Humor – encourage your guests to share their thoughts and humor on each wine

Here are a few more links to some methods & tips:

Wine Tasting Party | Top Two Types of Wine Tasting | Wine Score Sheets

How to Host a Wine-Tasting Party: Tips for a Wine Tasting Party …

Hosting a Wine Tasting Party: How to throw your own Wine Tasting …

Strat’s Place - How to Hold a Wine Tasting

Just in case you haven’t heard of Gary Vaynerchuk he is a wine guy that has established himself through web video. He has been on several tv shows talking about wine and he has a video podcast wltv. But this post is really just about his new book. I ordered it from woot.com for a steal and it was a signed copy to boot. Well, I finished it yesterday and it was a joy to read. It was a bit awkward at times and it’s really more of a list then a commentary on wine but that worked for me. I can see thought that without any prior knowledge og Gary V you might miss some inside nuonces. His list of 101 wines is from what he see’s as exciting wines so it is definatly not a traditional wine list but in the back of the book he does a great job with tons of short “best with” list as well. The woot thing was a one day deal but in this book bio below there are links to where you can get it online. Grab it and enjoy!

Gary Vaynerchuk’s 101 Wines Guaranteed to Inspire, Delight, and Bring Thunder to Your World

At long last, Gary Vaynerchuk puts the energy and passion of Wine Library TV into print! In 101 Wines Gary V unveils his 1st list of favorites and recommendations. Gary’s wine picks for 2008 span many prices, regions, grapes, and styles, ensuring that wine novices and sophisticated oenophiles alike will expand their wine horizons while learning more about the drink they love.

To order your copy click the links below!

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Every wine identified in the book represents a lesson in a glass, complete with the technical notes, availability, and the story behind the vintage and flavors… all brought to life as only Gary knows how!

This is a fund-raise to benefit the Preserve and should be a lot of fun! Great way to help the Preserve and have a good time!

If the weather is bad, we will cancel and hopefully reschedule.

We will meet at the pavilion and hike over to the pond where we will enjoy some fabulous spring & summer wines and delicious cheeses overlooking the moon reflecting on the pond. A local favorite wine connoisseur will be our host. Wear good hiking shoes and bring bug spray and a flashlight.

When

May 23, 2008 at 7:30 PM

Where
Forest Ecology Preserve

Ticketing info
Tickets are $15 per person.

Additional info
There is a limit of 30. Adults only. You must register in advance. Call Jennifer at 707-6512 or 844-8091.

More info website

Join Mac McDonald, renowned winemaker and founder of the award winning Vision Cellars, as he shares his vision of vino at the exclusive Winemaker’s Dinner hosted by Arricia on Wednesday May 21st, 2008. The dinner begins at 7pm and is limited to 30 guest. The four-course dining experience, which includes wine, is $75 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations can be made by calling (334) 844-5140.

Chandler will be pouring wine for this tasting!

Christine’s Gourmet

2272 Moore’s Mill Rd., Suite 208 (behind the Flower Store)

Thursday, May 15, 6:30 PM
$15.00 plus tax per person includes tasting and hors d’oeuvres
Reservations are recommended
Please Call: (334) 826-1408

Huia Pinot Gris
Alpha Domus Unoaked Chardonnay
Trinity Hill Hawkes Bay Syrah
Cesani Vernaccia
Terragens Romio Sangiovese di Romangna
Palazzo Bandino Chianti Colli Senesi

The next Auburn Uncorked tasting event is scheduled for Thursday, May 1st at In Italy.

Flyer and tasting notes to follow within the week!

Free Night at the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art
Presented by Gus the Wine Guy

6pm - April 17th

Taste some outstanding wines.

Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sparkling Shiraz!

Free Night!