How to Host Your Own At-Home Wine Tasting

Celebrate your love of wine with a fun wine tasting party with some of your closest friends. Putting together a wine tasting event doesn’t have to be a big deal. Ask your pals to bring a bottle while you take care of the set up. Here are a few tips to hosting a successful wine tasting.

1. Be prepared.
Make sure to have the proper tools and supplies. Prepare a table with a white cloth, decanters, spittoons, glasses, and coffee grounds in small bowls to neutralize the odors of the many aromas of the wines.

2. Choose up to five wines.
Stick to a selection of five wines so as not to overwhelm the tasting options. Choose wines with some sort of unifying factor, for example, wines from the same region, color, or type.

3. Serve light bites.
Offer your guests small snacks or cheese plate. Doing so will add a new element to the wine, which may taste different paired with food.

4. Discuss.
Once the wine has been tasted, go around and compare notes on which wines made biggest impact. Reveal the labels after the wines have been tasted.

How to Have the Perfect Wine Tasting at Home [Huffington Post]
How to Host a Wine Tasting Party [Real Simple]
How to Host a Wine Tasting [Food & Wine]

Best Sparkling Wines for Under $20

Want to put some fizz into the party, but can’t spend top dollar?  These scrumptious sparkling wines taste a lot glitzier than their price tags, and they’re available in most large liquor stores:

Louis Bouillot Perle de Vigne, France
$19

With a name meaning "Pearl of the Vine," this Crémant de Burgundy lives up to the hype with its delicate yet rich finish of sharp Granny Smith apples.

Greg Norman Estates Sparkling Pinot Noir/Chardonnay, Australia
$18

This Aussie gem tastes twice as expensive as its price. It has a frothy head; fine bubbles; notes of complex citrus, red berry, yellow stone fruit, and biscuit; and a silky smooth richness. The Pinot Noir grape dominates the blend.

Trapiche Extra Brut, Argentina
$15

Hand-crafted in the Andean foothills, this lively sparkler shows typical Chardonnay aromas of apples and pineapples with a toasted bread note. Added regional varietals Semillon and Malbec help to create a full, crisp character.

Mondoro Sparkling Asti, Italy
$15

Produced from white muscat grapes grown in the Asti region of Northern Italy, this sweet wine has a delicate, refreshing character that pairs well with desserts or soft fruits.

Verichon & Clerc Privilège Blanc de Blancs, France
$12

Blending Chardonnay, Chenin, Ugni Blanc, and Colombard grapes in the méthode traditionnelle, this Brut blanc de blancs has a rich fragrance of hazelnut and toasted grain, with hints of poached pears and buttered toast that linger over a long-lasting finish.

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