Global Classics
• For an international selection of whites, consider Riesling from Germany; chenin blanc from South Africa; sauvignon blanc from Loire Valley, France; and Gewuerztraminer from Alsace, France.
• Nice reds include Syrah from Rhone Valley or Australia; cabernet sauvignon from Bordeaux or Napa Valley; Nebbiolo from Barolo or Barbaresco, Italy; Tempranillo from Rioja in Spain; and Malbec from Argentina.
The following was adapted from a checklist created by Jörn Kleinhans, principal of the Wine Elite Sommelier Co. in Huntington Beach, Calif., an independent and nationwide resource for sommelier-guided wine-tasting experiences.
Selecting the Wines
• Plan for 8 to 10 different wines for the event. The selection should include two to three white wines and six to seven reds. (Most people prefer red, but a few white wines make the experience more well-rounded.)
• Consider serving a sparkling wine (cava, prosecco or champagne) as a welcome drink. It should be served in flute-shaped glasses.
• Ask a sommelier to select individual wines.
• Don't buy wines at the grocery store or supermarket, as they tend to be overpriced and too U.S.-focused.
• Don't restrict your wine selection to United States wines. You can show global diversity without incurring higher costs.
• Purchase one bottle of each wine if you expect 12 guests or fewer. Add another bottle of each wine for every 12 additional guests. (One bottle provides 13 pours of 2 oz. each.)
• Consider a sweeter wine for the finish, like sauternes dessert wine or port. Serve with a designated food equivalent, such as chocolate cake.
Tasting Format
• Set a theme for the tasting and announce it in the invitation for a higher turnout (e.g., Old World vs. New World, key grapes from around the world, rated 95 and above, etc.)
• Guests should taste two wines at a time, so that they can compare. Provide each guest with two glasses; following the optimal sequence of white, rosé, light red and then heavy red, rinsing the glasses isn't necessary.
• Consider a blind-tasting format, in which the bottles are placed in numbered bags.
• Bring in an expert or keynote speaker to lead the presentation or tasting, adding an educational and memorable element to the event.
• Decide whether you want a walk-around event with stations or a more focused sit-down event with a presentation.
• For non-wine-drinking crowds, try a whiskey-tasting party instead -- sampling Scotch, bourbon, Tennessee whiskey and others. Bring in a whiskey expert to lead the event.
Food Considerations
• Ensure the wine selection and overall theme is aligned with the food that's being prepared.
• Consider a cheese, charcuterie, chocolate and/or honey tasting to accompany the wine event. If there is an outdoor space, consider a guided cigar tasting.
Budgeting
• Plan on $20 per guest for wine on the low end, or $90 per guest on the higher end. Anything in between will work. (We've found the ideal budget for an affordable but impressive wine lineup is $50 per person.)
Set-up and Logistics
• Put the white wines on ice before and throughout the entire wine-tasting event.
• Set up a few bowls as dump buckets.
• Use pens that are specially designed to temporarily indicate the guest name and wine number on each glass.
• Do not place tables or bottles of wine in any area close to a swimming pool, to avoid possible mishaps with broken glass.
• Ensure that guests don't overdrink and drive. Allocating tasting pours of 2 oz. at a time can help. Provide plenty of water, and wind down the wine-tasting portion of the event at least an hour before the gathering ends.