Yes, I said it. The dreaded C-word. Christmas. It’s creeping up on us quicker than we care to admit and amongst all of the present buying preparation, you maybe need to start thinking about what to do for this year’s Christmas get-together. Today I’m going to talk you through a wine tasting party – a Christmas party with a difference.
What wine and how much?
You should aim to have your guests sample around five different types of wine. Any more than this and it will overwhelm the pallette and deem the whole experience a bit of a waste time.
It’s perfectly okay to mix whites and reds but be sure to serve them in the right order, which is lightest to darkest. This is because darker wines are usually heavier. The number of guests you have will determine how many bottles you need. For example, if you have six guests, you will need to have two bottles of each. One will be for tasting – only small amounts remember, and the other one for drinking once you have finished your tasting.
It can be a bit overwhelming choosing which wines to have at your wine tasting party. For ease, you could choose a regional theme. Choose vintages that all come from a specific region such as Tuscany or Napa.
The Beauty & The Taste is an online boutique for high-quality wines and has a huge selection of vintage wines to choose from and would be a great place to buy the bottles for your evening. With a designated page on their website for wines by region, it’s a stress-free way to select the wines you want to taste at your party. The Beauty & The Taste have a comprehensive catalogue of bottles selected for customers across the most important regions in the world. You could also buy extra to give as early Christmas gifts at the end of the evening!
One Bordeaux glass should be provided per person for the duration of the tasting. It’s advisable not to rinse the glass between servings as even the smallest amount of water can dilute the wine.
How do you taste?
You’ll need to demonstrate to your guests how to taste the wine if they have never done it before. Take a look at the tips below, if you are less than an expert yourself.
1: Take a look at it. Is the wine bright (light-bodied) or dark (full-bodied)? Clear (drink up) or cloudy (toss it)?
2: Swirl your glass gently, this will release the wine’s aromas. Then don’t be shy to put your nose deep into the glass. What can you smell? Floral? Herbal? Fruity? Earthy?
3: Keep the wine in your mouth while inhaling air slowly. It might feel a bit strange, but this process aerates the wine and opens up your olfactory sense which will in turn, enhance its flavours.
What snacks?
You want to provide snacks for your guests that will complement the wine and vice versa. Breadsticks, cheese straws, mixed olives, pistachios and dried fruit are a good selection. You could choose chocolate the has less than 60% cocoa as a sweet treat — this makes for richer chocolate.
Follow these simple tips and you are sure to enjoy your Christmas party with a difference. Who knows, perhaps you will start a trend and you can take it in turns each year to host the annual wine tasting Christmas party!
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1 Comment
These things are the boost enjoyment 1 good food, 2 good environments 3, friend company and good music. You are a lucky person because you have enjoyed all these things. I am not live in Tampa but when i come to your city then i should meet you.