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, wine doesn't have to be expensive to be good, great, or even excellent. Definitely have red, white, and dessert wine glasses. A variety of cheeses, fruit, chocolate, and plain water crackers like Carr's. Maybe some baguettes and olive oil with spices for dip. Six different wines should be fine and make sure to have a dessert wine. Have water to help clean the palette. Personally, I would play a variety of classical including baroque and chamber. If you are going to burn candles, make them unscented and just for ambiance and mood. Scent affects taste and a key part of wine tasting/appreciating is bouquet. Unless everyone is walking distance from their homes, have a designated driver to see each guest home safely. Have fun!

P.S. I wish I lived in your neighborhood so I could come.

Answer 2

Wine tasting with "the girls" sounds like alot of fun! Decide how many wines you want to taste and pick bottles from the red varietals, white, blush, and sparkling. Depending on how many ladies you're inviting over will depend on how many bottles you need. You don't need to spend alot of money to get some good wine to try. In fact, if you have access to the Commissary, that should save you some bucks right there. Provide small "taster" glasses, but also allow someone that wants a full glass of their favorite. Food? Well, a variety of cheese, crackers, and fruit is also very good. I'd choose a combination of creamy cheeses, mild, sharp, and unusual. One of my favorite combos includes Spanish Manchenga, a good Mushroom Brie, Gouda, Dill Havarti and Cambozola.
Have a variety of crackers and baguettes to serve along side. Another thing you might consider is having a more substantial fare, such as cold cuts, cheeses, a nice salad, and a dessert. Remember to have lots of bottled water and some sodas on hand and to not let anyone drive if they get inebriated!

Answer 3

Get some good cheese, some grapes, some dates and figs , some nuts and some crackers... Some brie, come Stilton ( some blueberry Stilton is delicious with a desert wine! ) some Swiss, some good hearty strong flavored cheeses... Not the junk from the grocery store either...

Then get some wine. Nothing younger than 2002

Some of the best wines are not all that expensive and are very good...

I like:

Shiraz.
My recent favorite is Little Boomey.

Zinfandel.
any really in the moderate priced level is about the same.

Chianti.

Merlot.

Chardonnay. My recent favorite is, Clos Du Bois.

Cabernet sauvingnon. Same

If you are going to have chocolates or sweets...

Riesling
port
something nice and fruity and maybe South African?

Answer 4

Great idea! I always wanted to but never came through

Idea I saw in some Wine magazine. No need for expensive wines. Ask about the bouquet of the wines and put this on little card taped to bottom. As everyone tastes, get them to write what they think are the flavors. Sounds like lots of fun and a great way to learn what you like.

As far as music, I would opt for non-vocals or jazz type (Fourplay, Steve Elliot, Marion Meadows, Rendez-vous Lounge compilation)

For foods, I think you have a good selection from other responders.

HAVE FUN!

Answer 5

pondering the place you reside, you are going to be waiting to discover a good sized selection of wonderful wines for a useful value. i does not think of you may could fork over greater advantageous than $15 a bottle to get a great determination of very stable wines. there are an excellent sort of types to attempt, as human beings have talked approximately. attempt some Rhone or Mosel varieties, p.c. up Rieslings, Gewurztraminers, etc. you are going to be waiting to get some intense-high quality Italian wines besides, like Chianti Classicos and different Sangiovese (purple) varieties, and Pino Grigrio whites. you is additionally waiting to discover some intense-high quality French wines like Bordeaux. you mustn't concentration too a lot on the years - not each bottle might have a 12 months, especially if that's not a single-sort (single sort of grape) wine. Cheeses, breads, and culmination and greens are favourite tasting nutrients. definitely have an excellent sort of bottled water obtainable to help clean the palate between diverse wines. maximum of all, have exciting!

Answer 6

I don't think you need to go "blow your budget" just find a selection you are interested in. One thing I ran across awhile ago regarding a wine tasting party is to have samples of the undertones of the wines so that the guests can taste the fruit (or what have you) and then the wine that has those undertones. It is supposed to help you to recognize the different tastes? For example if a wine is said to have peachy undertones, have slices of fresh peaches next to that wine. Or melon, or raspberry.. or which ever it might be. Good luck!

Answer 7

You should pick a few different kinds of wines, both red and white, and then find foods that pair well with them. You can serve a dinner and then serve a different wine with each course. I did this with my girlfriends and it was great fun!

Try this site to see what food goes well with what wine:

http://www.wineanswers.com/Food_categories.asp

Answer 8

Make sure to have DDs - designated drivers for one, but it sounds like fun! Go to the nearest wine vendor and let them know what you plan on doing and a budget - they will tell you what to pair with what and nothing's better than stuff that comes from those pros, have fun!