Money is, for most of us, kind of tight these days. We’re opting to stay in instead of going out. The term “staycation” – meaning a vacation at home – is creeping into mainstream use. The surprising thing is that many of us are finding ways to have fun that we never realized were in our own back yards! What’s a great way to get a bunch of your friends together for an evening at home? How about a wine tasting party?

A wine tasting party doesn’t have to be a stuffy affair with everyone in black. Keep it light. Have each of your guests bring a bottle of wine and you supply a couple as well. Set up a nice assortment of cheeses, fruits, breads, nuts, etc. and you’re ready to go. Playing a little slow jazz in the background is strictly optional.

What kind of wine should you get? You have a wealth of options. You can start with one type of wine in different brands. Have a blindfolded taste test to see which one is preferred by most of your guests. Pinot Grigio is lovely, but I never knew exactly which Pinot Grigio I liked best until I did a taste test. You can also have blindfolded guests name the wines they taste and give prizes to the one who gets the most correct answers. A fun prize in theme with the evening is a wine tote, and if there’s a little more room in you’re budget you can include a bottle of wine with the tote.

You may also enjoy hosting a themed party. Choose wines from a certain region or country or select a particular grape as your theme. If you’re going to choose a specific type of wine though, you will want to pair it with the right cheese. It takes a moment to do a quick internet search if you’re not sure. What you’ll probably find is that you get the opportunity to not only explore new wines, but new cheeses as well! Set up a little card with the name of the cheese by the plate so your friends can ask and learn more about it. Continue reading →