Host Your Own Wine Tasting Party

by Frank Mangio

Thinking about a wine tasting to spice up your fall social season? It’s guaranteed to raise your standing as party planner. My “local sip” section is burgeoning with places to go to kick up your taste buds and enjoy conversation on wines. But chances are you can name a dozen or so friends that would love to gather and taste your choices.

Here are some some suggestions to help you in creating a memorable time.
Choose 10 to 12 couples for the tasting to keep control of the tasting and enhance conversation about what they are tasting.

Make a contest out of it. I would suggest a blind tasting (cover the bottles up to the top with a bag) of about 7 to 10 different wines from various parts of the world.

Make an attractive invitation, informing your guests what they will be doing, what areas the wines come from and a brief description of the wines. Their goal will be to match the description with the actual wine bottle tasted, which has a number on it. I always enjoy offering bottles of wine used in the tasting, as prizes for most correct choices. Each guest gets a form with this information on it when the tasting contest begins.

The host should supply appetizers before the tasting and mild cheese and crackers between tastings plus a container and water for cleaning glasses.

When all the guests have gone through the bottles and marked their choices, as host you need to gather the forms and score the entries which should have the names of the “contestants” somewhere on their forms.

When the winners are announced, be sure to give the forms back to your guests so they can go through and note how they did and what wines were their favorites.

The fun keeps going when the wines are revealed. The only thing red wines from districts as widespread as Napa and Australia have in common is the color. When they are tasted side by side, the distinctive qualities of the wines are revealed for all to compare and debate. I prefer to choose wines that range in price from inexpensive (about $10.), to middle priced (about $70.). Some typical varietals to include are: merlot, cabernet sauvignon, sangiovese, syrah, grenache, malbec, zinfandel, pinot noir and malbec.

You might want to explore others, or place a syrah and an Australian shiraz in the same tasting (they are the same grape, but do taste distinctly different due to geographic differences). A blend or meritage can be used but these are difficult to identify due to several grapes combined in the bottle. So start planning, and put your own creativity to work. The result is always a fun party.

Lovely Wines to Add to your List
Wine never ceases to amaze me with the number of wonderful varietals and vintages that out there waiting to be discovered. The following examples typify the rewards that await the patient wine lover:
Wilson Creek Estate Zinfandel 2005, Temecula Valley. $34.95. Beautifully crafted from aged gnarled vines with deep cherry and plum flavors. Captures the essence of superior Zin. www.wilsoncreekwinery.com.

Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay 2005, Columbia Valley Washington. $13. Warmed and nurtured by the intense, long sunny days of Northern Washington. Rich and ripe with tropical flavors. www.ste-michelle.com.

Thornton “Thorny’s” Cote Red Blend 2005, Temecula Valley. $14. Bright, cheery blend of 62% Syrah, 22% Barbera, 11% Sangiovese and 5% Grenache. You will be in delicious wine heavan with this marriage of Rhone Valley and Italian varietals. www.thortonwine.com.

Villa Antinori Chianti Classico Reserve 2000, Tuscany Italy. Price varies. The 2005 is now released and its price is about $20. I laid the 2000 down 5 years ago and opened it recently to taste its aged vintage.It was remarkably beautiful as the terroir opened up with breathtaking detail. Silken minerality, earth characteristics that was of an Italian opera…truly music to the taste buds. This wine is truly one I can recommend you store for 5 to 7 years.

The Local Sip (San Diego and Temecula)

Savory Casual Fare in Encinitas presents their first winemaker’s dinner on Thurs. Oct. 9 starting at 6:30pm, featuring Duffy Keys “B” Cellars of Napa Valley. Four courses with some beautiful blends. $75. pp. Call 760-634-5556 for an RSVP.

Carlsbad Wine Merchants is bringing in Opolo Wines, a real taste treat, on Fri. Oct. 10 beginning at 5pm. Fee $20. ea. One of the best from the west side of Paso Robles. Call 760-804-9994.

Vine to Glass in Oceanside has a new menu of wines and is promoting “red wine and your health.” New selections include: Santino Zinfandel, Justin Cab and a by-the-glass special on Felsina Rancia Classico Reserva, a personal favorite. Call 760-757-1037.

Robert Renzoni Vineyard in Temecula is presenting a Columbus Day party Sun. Oct. 12 from 1 to 5pm. Complimentary glass of wine, music, dancing food and fun, plus 30% discount on all wines. $30. in advance, $35. at the door. 951-302-VINO for details.

Belle Marie Winery in Escondido has their next winemaker’s dinner in their Chateau Wine Cave on Sat. Oct. 18 at 6pm. “A Tuscan Feast” will feature cuisine from that area paired with premium Italian wines. MC will be owner Mick Dragoo, an expert on the Italian terroir. $89. pp. RSVP at 760-796-7557.