Imagine watching the day turn to night while enjoying a great glass of wine and relaxing in your favorite rocking chair. Now, add some great friends, a few more bottles and some bite sized snacks – and you’ll have everything needed for a relaxed and ‘Rocking’ wine tasting party! Contrary to popular belief, a great wine tasting party doesn't have to be complicated; keep it low key and you and your guest are sure to enjoy the experience even more.
Eliminate the stress of party hosting by making it an impromptu gathering. Grab a bottle of your favorite wine and ask your friends to bring along a bottle they have on hand or one they've enjoyed in the past. If anyone is headed to the store, set a budget and consider requiring that the selections be region or style specific. This will encourage a variety and expose everyone to different wines that they may not have normally tried. Heighten the experience for your guests by making it a blind tasting. As your guests arrive take each of the bottles and cover the label with a paper bag, and label them with a number. Make sure to write down in advance which wine goes with each number. Bring one bottle of wine out at a time and pour each of your friends an even amount. For wine tasting parties it is best to have between 6 and 12 guests so that the bottles can be evenly divided, and everyone can try each wine. Have your friend’s discuss the wines and rate their favorites as they go through them. When the bottles are empty, reveal which wines earned the highest scores, and everyone might just find themselves a new favorite! When hosting a wine party it is always a good idea to offer a variety of interesting appetizers to your friends. Small bite size appetizers are ideal for wine tasting parties because they don’t require a formal dining atmosphere, and can help counteract the effects of the alcohol. In addition to a traditional cheese platter, consider offering your guests a selection of olives, fine meats, artisan breads, fresh fruits (like apples, grapes, and berries), and of course chocolate. Before your guest arrive, make sure the outdoor party area is setup with plenty of comfortable seating; positioned to make the best use of your available views, and encourage conversation between your guests. String some Italian lights overhead for added ambiance, and have your friends arrive about an hour before sunset. With everything setup you and your guests can relax while watching the sunset, and enjoying great wine and the calming sway of your rocking chairs.
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