How do I throw a wine tasting party for the girls?

Question

Do all the wines have to be expensive? What types of glasses should I have? Should I serve cheese..crackers...bread? I would like to put this together for some girls that live in my community (American/military wives) I live in Germany right now, close to Italy so there are a variety of wines around here...different stuff, like sweet berry wines (but are really strong) The only thing I know about them is that there is white wine, red and blush. Do I need to get a variety of years? What type of music would you play, if any? Any tips would be great! Thanks~

Answer 1

First of all, that sounds like so much fun and very thoughtful of you to do for all your friends.
Personally, I have done this and it's really fun. What I did was I had each person bring a bottle of their favorite wine. I sent out invitations stating that we were having a "Ladies Wine Tasting Event" and that they were invited to come and bring their favorite wine.
Cheese, crackers and bread were served. And this was stated in the invitation.
I have alot of different wine glasses, and so I put those out with the trays of cheeses, breads and crackers. I did some hard cheeses, some soft cheeses and some heated cheeses (Like Brie). Just whatever you like. I also had one tray of pastries that I made. As well as some fresh fruit. You could even order some in or whatever. After a while of tasting wine, some people actually want something sweet. And the fruit and cheeses are often good together as well.
Then I decorated everything in a floral theme. You could do whatever theme you wanted. But just sure to make it festive and fun for them. Make things look nice. I used my nice dessert plates and party trays to display and serve the cheeses on etc.
This is just what I did. But, it turned out really nice.
I had soft music playing in the background to set the mood for the party.
I had flowers all over the place and scented candles.
It was very nice. And when we would open each person's bottle of wine to taste it, I would have them tell us all about the wine. Why they like it over all others and if it has special signifigance to them and why.
It just made it a little more fun.
Good luck and have fun.
Oh, and they don't have to be expensive wines, some cheaper wines are very good as well. And this way each person feels like they are a part of the whole thing.
Also, make sure that you ask them to RSVP you so that you will know how many people to expect.
Again, have fun and good luck!!

Answer 2

Considering where you live, you should be able to find an enormous range of fantastic wines for a reasonable price. I wouldn't think you'd have to fork over more than $15 a bottle to get a great selection of very good wines.

There are plenty of varieties to try, as people have pointed out. Try some Rhone or Mosel varieties, pick up Rieslings, Gewurztraminers, etc. You should be able to get some nice Italian wines as well, like Chianti Classicos and other Sangiovese (red) varieties, and Pino Grigrio whites.

You might even be able to find some nice French wines like Bordeaux.

You shouldn't focus too much on the years - not every bottle will have a year, especially if it's not a single-variety (single type of grape) wine.

Cheeses, breads, and fruits and veggies are typical tasting food. Also have plenty of bottled water available to help clear the palate between different wines.

Most of all, have fun!

Answer 3

Sounds fun!

No, they needn't be expensive.

Have a both reds and whites, and different sorts of each.

Yes, cheese, crackers, bread, raw veggies and dips, too. Also a few sweets (to go with the sweet wines).

Just your basic nibblies.

No music, or instrumental music would be best -- so people can chat and hang out.

I assume you aren't really having a serious Wine Tasting, but more a fun get-together with some focus on the wines, but not a "wine class" type thing.

The variety should be more in the grapes than the years.

I'm assuming the people you're inviting aren't experts, so just a nice variety to the wines is sufficient.

I bet sellers of wine would be happy to help you -- just don't let them spend all your money for you.

Answer 4

A wine tasting party just for friends doesn't need expensive wines just a variety of reds, whites and roses, these would be a mix of fruity, dry and full bodied, also you could try a chilled Hungarian red (very nice) being in Germany you should be able to find a big selection of whites. Any cheese board is a good idea as well as any snacks that you feel will compliment you evening. Soft easy listening music is ideal but if your friends are a bit noisier you could keep a selection for later in the evening. Hope to have helped you

Answer 5

No not really, I don't know where you live but if you a have a Trader Joe's near by they seem to have the best wines and pretty affordable prices, I usually end up buying the whole case of mix and match, all their wine is pretty good and tasty.

And yes, Hors d'oeuvres would go perfect for wine tasting.
cheese and crackers are good for starters but I'd recommend you try fruits and vegetables. Also try aged cheeses, it's so delicious to along with just about any wine.
Cheers!

White Wine: Champagne Sparkling Wines Cabernet Sauvignon

Reds Wine: Chardonnay

Other White Wines: Merlot Shiraz/Syrah Riesling

Whites by the glass Pinot Noir Zinfandel
Sauvignon Blanc Other Reds

p.s. when is the party? can I come along?

http://www.linkedwords.com/home/entertaining/wine-tasting-parties/

http://whatscookingamerica.net/Appetizers.htm

Music: must be Jazz or Smooth Jazz

Answer 6

The music is up to you. Swing or instrumental is nice.

Wine: try to choose 2 or 3 reds. I would suggest a Cabernet, a Meritage (blend of reds), and a chianti. Then 2 or 3 whites: maybe a riesling and a chardonnay - be creative. Leave out the blush. Blush is for people who can't decide between red and white. Years aren't too important unless you're a wine tasting pro. Go with what you can afford.

Glassware: try to have 2 kinds of glasses, or a large amount of smaller wine glasses so you can pour all 4 or 5 wines in your tasting at the same time instead of having to rinse out the glasses.

A dry cheese, water crackers, and grapes are nice to serve to help cleanse the palatte in between each wine.

Answer 7

If your guests are new or inexperienced with wine, Germany is the perfect place to be! I find most folks start out preferring semi-sweet to very sweet white wines and then begin to aquire an appreciation for dry wine later. Germany has SO many Rieslings and Piesporters, etc. that I'm sure you'll find something your beginners will enjoy. It only takes that one glass that is just PERFECT with that delicious cheese, sausage, fruit...you'll have them hooked! I see lots of fun vineyard visits in your future. heehee.

PS. I visit the local wineries here in Missouri. Most are small "mom and pop" type wineries where you can get to know the owners and employees. This relaxed environment and personal service insure a great visit everytime. Local owners know that the average guy (like me) doesn't know much about wine. My favorite "pop" owner made me feel right at home when he said, "don't worry about what wine snobs think....do YOU like it?" Good luck with your party!!!

Answer 8

I don't know much about wine but my roommate and I hosted a wine tasting party and it turned out really well. We served easy appetizers like cheese and crackers, spinach dip, fruit, veggies and dip, stuff like that. We had everyone bring a different kind of wine. They don't have to be the expensive stuff, limit everyone to a max of $20 a bottle. It's about spending time with each other, not spending money. Anyway, we just used whatever glasses we had (if you want to pick up a cheap set of glasses go to walmart or even value city) and just took turns tasting the wine, one bottle at a time. You could always have a little prize for the person who brings the best wine, maybe a new set of wine glasses! If you wanted to get really creative you could buy a couple cheap sets of wine glasses and personalize them (talk to someone at a craft store for the proper paint and stuff) for each of your guests. Have fun and don't stress, this is supposed to be relaxing. You could always buy a case or two of beer and order pizza!

Answer 9

Buy a wide variety of wines. Get any printed information about those wines you can find. At your party, set out the wines, cheeses, fruits, and printed info up at different stations (use lots of table tops instead of just one kitchen table). That will promote circulation at your party and also, if you have the printed material, teach the girls about the different kinds of wine.

It's a great idea to throw this party! Sounds like a lot of fun-I wish my friends had good ideas like you!!!

Answer 10

That is a good answer you have already . wine does not have to be expenive to be good. most wine conunersours can taste many7 diffrent things in wines. chocholate ,tobbaco, and things I can't, for a wine tasteing party start off with a light wine such as white zinfendel,zinfendel region in california are good zin's. then get into a little heavery as you go on tasting. next a good gamey whitch is a red but light wine J lore makes a good one then your stanerd whites saviong blanc, chardonay, your reds should include both cabenet and merlot to tast the diffrance and a shyrah is also good to try white shoud be tasted seapertly. each glass should have a food to complament it, that infor is accuiered by the net i am sure, i don't have enough space to tell you. last your dessert wines such as gwertzmier and a port. thgis amount of wine can get pricey expecialy with alot of girls, try a wine outlet but don't go for just one winemaker. the central california is great for reds any were in california on the coastal regions are great for whites , and the dessert wines imported is my suggestion. O and treder joes has A great wine called charles krug we call it two buck chuck.From napa Valley some ladies huaband died and she hated him so she sold the whole lot to trader joes just to spite him for way undercost.if you have a trader joes near by get that for your party.or they might be online