4. Ask every guest to bring their favorite bottle of wine (a “wine potluck,” if you will)
Wine-themed party ideas like this work especially well if many of your friends know a great deal about wine. But even if they don’t, having a “wine potluck” as part of your party will make things more fun. Everyone will have the opportunity to broaden their horizons by trying lots of new wines.
5. Don’t serve certain beverages before the wine-tasting
For their article on wine-tasting party ideas, Party Ideas by a Pro suggests that you “don’t serve any alcohol or soft drinks before the wine tasting begins” so that everyone can “start with a clean palate so as not to affect the taste of the wines.” This will be more of a priority if the wine tasting is the central activity at your party; if not, it might not be as important to you and worth the extra effort of planning.
6. Pair wines with appetizers at an informal wine-tasting
Another suggestion from Party Ideas by a Pro applies to more informal wine tastings where you’re not as concerned about guests being able to taste every nuance of the wine. In this case, they recommend that you “pair each wine with a different complimentary appetizer,” bringing out the best elements of both!
A similar but slightly different suggestion is for a dinner where you “integrate some of these wine tasting party ideas with the meal by tasting a different wine with each course.” Either way, what’s not to love about a combo of delicious food and wine?
7. How about hosting a blind tasting?
Another option for your wine-themed party is to have a blind wine tasting. It will present more of a challenge to you and your guests, but can also be a ton of fun.
Cellar Angels writes, “Blind-fold the bottles of wine instead by wrapping them with a cloth napkin so that the labels are hidden . . . Each guest gets to taste a small amount of the wine and then record their impressions and guesses on score cards or grids”. At the end, reward the winner with a fun prize like a bottle of wine of their own!
8. Plan a fun wine-themed picnic
Another option for a wine-themed party in the great outdoors is to go to a local park and have a picnic with snacks and wine. This idea can be simple, with blankets, a few bottles of wine, and some snacks, or you can get much more elaborate if you’d like to spend more time decorating and planning and want to invite more guests!
9. Serve a wine-themed cake
There are tons of wine-themed cakes you can make for your party. For instance, check out this wine bottle cake tutorial from Veena Azmanov, who explains how to make this edible work of art in great detail.
10. Enjoy global vintages with an international wine-tasting
Better Homes and Gardens offers us an incredible idea for a wine-tasting party. “Purchase one bottle each from France, New Zealand or Australia, South Africa, Argentina or Chile, and California or Oregon, then explore the differences”. Wines are strongly affected by where the grapes that make them are grown. Therefore, wines from different locations are going to taste extremely different!
If you’re in the Bay Area, consider booking Petite Auberge Salon in San Francisco’s Lower Nob Hill. It’s a French-inspired parlor and therefore adds the perfect European feel to your global wine-tasting event. Talk to the host about their catering services so you can have an amazing venue and tasty food and drink covered with one booking!
Getting hitched? Then our guide to throwing a winery wedding may be just what you’re looking for!
