So now you have a beautifully set up wine cellar with stunning wine racks holding your splendid wine collection. Besides taking an inventory of your wine and managing your collection, the best use for your California wine cellar is to host a wine tasting party!
Wine tasting parties are easy to organize and fun! But how does one go about planning for a wine tasting party?
Essential Tips for Hosting a Wine Tasting Party
Formal or Informal
Since you already have a wine cellar, you have at least one thing taken care of – the location. Now it’s time to decide whether you want the party to be formal or informal. If your circle of friends are wine connoisseurs in their own right, then you should probably host a formal party. But, if they are people who are just beginning to discover wine, or you just want have an entertaining and unique night with friends, an informal party is your best bet.
The Wine and Theme
The first and most important thing you should prepare is the wine. Choose at most five different varieties of wine because too many types might overwhelm the palette. It’s okay to have both red and white wines, but make sure you serve the lighter ones first. Make sure also that you take out the wine from storage for a bit of time before you start serving them.
Opt also, for a theme among the wines that you will be serving. Try selecting vintages that come from a particular region or wines of the same kind.
Wine Glasses
Next, let’s talk about wine glasses. If you’re serving both white and red wines, make sure your guests have two glasses each. Do not rinse the glasses in between tasting as even a tiny drop of water can dilute the wine and affect its taste. Make sure that you have wine cellar racks built with storage for your stemware. This will provide convenience for you as the host.
Typical of any wine tasting party, not all wines may be to your guest’s liking. Make sure you have a dump-away bucket for people to dispose of wine properly.
Food
Have water, bread, and crackers available. Not only does this provide refreshment and nourishment, they also function to cleanse the palate. Of course, wine is best paired with cheese. Make sure you serve a good selection of cheese that goes best with your vintages.
Music
With all these ready, take care of other touches such as wine coasters and music. You can personalize the wine coasters so that it matches the theme of your party. You can even use them as an invitation for your friends. Create a good playlist of mood music too, to set the right atmosphere for your party.
Wine Tasting Table
A wine tasting table is an essential part in your wine cellar. It is where you arrange the wines, food, and other accessories during a wine tasting party. It can also function as an extra storage space for keeping extra bottles and as a focal point of your wine cellar.
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