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How to host an at-home wine tasting … it’s Easy!

November 14, 2021 By Juliet 14 Comments

Home is where the wine is …

Wine tasting mat with glasses around fire-it

Have you ever wanted to host a wine tasting at home?

A few weeks ago we did just that at Snowberry.

Last week I shared the engagement dinner we hosted for Jim’s son, his fiancé and her family.

We turned Snowberry’s library into a dining room.

This post includes affiliate links for your convenience at no additional cost to you. You can read my full disclosure policy here.

Dinner party in library

Before dinner we gathered around the back patio firepit for a wine tasting.

A wedding wine tasting.

To select wines to be poured at Kyle and Melody’s wedding next year.

We tasted 10 wines and and narrowed it down to six to be served at the wedding.

Here’s how I set set up our at-home wine tasting.

Charcuterie board on outdoor table

First things first.

Food.

Tasting 10 wines on an empty stomach … it’s just not done.

Well, it’s not done more than once anyway.

And there were no rookies in our group.

I ordered a charcuterie board from The Board Room in Pleasanton.

A local favorite for creative charcuterie boards and grazing stations.

All I had to do was assemble a basket of crackers and sliced baguette.

Charcuterie board and flowers

The gorgeous autumnal florals were created by Sheela of Sarah’s Garden Design.

She also created the beautiful florals in the library dining room.

You can read – and see – all about it here.

I love how Sheela uses fresh herbs in her floral arrangements.

Not only is it pretty, but it smells divine.

She even tucked a few mint sprigs into the charcuterie.

Charcuterie board in basket tray

If you read my engagement dinner post, you know I enlisted the help of Lindsay Lauren Events.

She arranged the necessary rentals to turn our library into a dining room.

From Pleasanton Rentals.

And this included 80 wine glasses for the wine tasting.

Renting glasses is a great option and makes life a lot easier when it comes to clean up.

Instead of hand washing 80 glasses, I simply put them back in the glass racks they arrived in.

You can rent glass for around $.75 to $1.75 per glass.

But renting them isn’t necessary and I explain more a little later.

Wine tasting around firepit and water feature

All set up and ready to taste wine!

Each place setting includes wine glasses and a water glass.

And we set out two ‘dump buckets.’

An inelegant term for a vessel used to ‘dump’ excess wine.

Also included, a pen for tasting notes.

Wine tasting around firepit and water feature

Jim created placemats for each flight of wine … whites first and reds second.

Wine Tasting Mat

Jim’s the king of powerpoint and he copied the graphic from the wedding  save-the-date cards.

Wine Tasting Mat Reds

Lindsay arranged for engraved pens, by Blushtype, for note taking … and keepsakes.

Place card and engraved pen

Blushtype also created the scrolled place cards.

Aren’t they pretty?!

Wine Tasting Mat
Wine Tasting Mat

Jim put together a booklet of tasting notes on each wine.

Wine tasting note and engraved pen

It was a cool afternoon with rain in the forecast.

I placed my favorite ‘house’ throws around just in case it got too cold.

Fingers and toes crossed it would not rain until we went inside for dinner.

Wine tasting set up around patio firepit

 

Wine tasting set up from overhead

 

Outdoor wine tasting set up

Before everyone arrived Jim opened all the wine bottles.

Man opening wine bottle
Man opening wine

I was concerned it would take a long time to open the wines and encouraged (ahem … nagged) Jim to get started earlier.

He scoffed.

‘I’m a trained professional’ he said.

And sure enough … pop, pop, pop … he had them opened in less than five minutes.

Why do I ever doubt?

Man opening bottle of wine
Man holding wine bottle on patio

With the wines opened, fire lit and snacks set out … we were ready for our guests.

Wine tasting around firepit
Wine tasting around firepit

Photo credit: All photos to this point by Monica Vargas Photography

And, we’re off …

People enjoying outdoor patio
People enjoying patio

Everyone took the tasting and selection of the wedding wines very seriously.

Jim did a great job presenting each of the wines.

There were lots of questions, discussions and opinions.

At the end of the tasting we reached unanimous agreement on wines for the wedding.

Drum roll, please  …

  • Sofia Blanc de Blancs 2018 Sparkling, Monterey
  • Stoneleigh 2020 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand
  • Diora 2019 Chardonnay, San Bernabe Vineyard, Monterey
  • Diora 2020 Rose, San Bernabe Vineyard, Monterey
  • Black Stallion Pinot Noir 2018 Pinot Noir, Los Carneros, Napa Valley
  • Francis Coppola 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Directors Cut, Alexander Valley

As we moved inside for dinner it started to rain.

Jim and Kyle sprang into action to clear everything away

and cover the patio furniture before it got soaked.

Jim and the happy couple with their birth year wines

to be served at dinner.

Chateau Mouton Rothschild Bordeaux from 1990 and 1992.

People with French Wine Bottles

Want to host a wine tasting in your home … here a few simple tips:

  • Use clear wine glasses. We rented glasses, but you don’t have to. One wine glass per person is just fine. They can be rinsed between pours.
  • Provide some type of vessel to use as a dump bucket. Not everyone will drink all their wine.
  • Provide water glasses and pitcher of water for drinking and rinsing glasses between tastes.
  • Allow for 2 oz of wine per person, per pour. A standard wine bottle contains about 24 oz.
  • Provide food. A charcuterie board is a great option. But, if you’re taking things more seriously consider a food and wine pairing.
  • Avoid scented candles and aromatic flowers.
  • Provide note pads (or tasting notes printed from the brand’s website) and pens or pencils for making notes.
  • Choosing what wines to taste can be as simple as what you have on hand or what interests you at the store. Or more organized, like a specific varietal or wine region. If tasting different varietals, order them from light to heavy. For example
    1. Bubbles
    2. Whites
    3. Roses
    4. Reds
    5. Dessert wines

This would be a fun activity over the holidays with family and friends!

For more tips on at-homes tastings, this is a good article.

So there you have it … our at-home wine tasting.

So much fun!

A huge thank you to ~

  • Photography: Monica Vargas Photography ; Monica’s Instagram
  • Planning & Design: Lindsay Lauren Events ; Lindsay’s Instagram
  • Florals: Sarah’s Garden Design 
  • Rentals: Pleasanton Rentals ; Pleasanton Rentals Instagram
  • Calligraphy: Blushtype ; Blushtype Instagram
Two women at wine tasting

Lindsay of Lindsay Lauren Events & me!

PIN THIS POST TO SAVE FOR LATER ~

Wine Tasting Pin Collage

As always, I appreciate your visit and welcome your thoughts in the comments below.

Cheers from Snowberry!

 



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Filed Under: Home & Decor, Recipes & Cocktails, Uncategorized Tagged With: at home wine tasting, entertaining, wine tasting

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Libbie Burling says

    November 14, 2021 at 7:10 pm

    Juliet,

    This is a lovely idea! Pinned for a smaller celebration (we are wine lovers) but loved it for a wedding!

    Reply
  2. Paula@SweetPea says

    November 15, 2021 at 5:11 am

    I love this idea so much! What a great way to start the engagement dinner!

    Reply
  3. Karen meyer says

    November 15, 2021 at 7:48 am

    I don’t want to host a tasting SO much as i want An invite to The one you are hosting! Perfection!

    Reply
  4. Stacey says

    November 15, 2021 at 8:02 am

    This is such a fun idea, Juliet! Every detail is perfect. I love the printables and that charcuterie board and florals are stunning. It looks like you all had a lovely time. xoxo

    Reply
  5. LA CONTESSA says

    November 15, 2021 at 8:59 am

    EVERYTHING WAS PERFECT!
    I LOVED LOVED LOVED EVERY DETAIL………………..birthdates on the WINE!
    I KNOW YOU ENJOYED THIS VERY MUCH AS I WOULD HAVE TOO…………NOW YOU CAN RE-LIVE IT WITH YOUR BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS!
    UP NEXT YOUR BIRTHDAY!!
    WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR YOUR BIG DAY!!
    XOXO

    Reply
  6. Mary Ann Pickett says

    November 15, 2021 at 9:52 am

    This looks amazing…not a detail left untouched. I love it!!!

    Reply
  7. Suz says

    November 16, 2021 at 12:06 pm

    What a lovely post, Juliet – you thought of everything! And, it warmed the cockles of my heart to see a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc was one of the chosen wines. Wishing you all the happiest of times from New Zealand.

    Reply
  8. Heidi says

    November 16, 2021 at 4:05 pm

    Hi Juliet,
    Everything looked so nice. Just perfect as always.
    Hope you all had a wonderful time.
    XO Heidi

    Reply
  9. Marie says

    November 17, 2021 at 9:26 pm

    What a fun idea for an engagement party. Just lovely.
    Off topic, but your landscaping is growing in so nicely and framing your stone wall beautifully. Oh and yor dress- Love! May I ask where it is from?

    Reply
  10. Carol Karl says

    November 18, 2021 at 4:40 pm

    What a great idea! Your garden is so beautiful.

    Reply
  11. Cindy says

    November 18, 2021 at 6:06 pm

    This sure looks fun and great way to pick wonderful wines.

    Everything looks beautiful

    Reply
  12. Denial leaonardo says

    September 23, 2022 at 5:18 am

    This easy guide will show you how to make your own wine at home from scratch with just a few simple steps. From finding the best wines to picking the right barrels, this guide will show you everything you need to get started. Northcote Home Renovations and Extensions

    Reply
  13. Elizabeth says

    September 23, 2022 at 6:59 am

    Make Mine Aprix is the perfect place to host your own wine tasting party! With our easy-to-use website, you can create an online wine list and invite guests to come over for a delicious evening of wine drinking.
    Dental Implants North Shore

    Reply

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Hi, I’m Juliet … welcome to Make Mine a Spritzer where we talk about all things home décor, classic style more! I’m so happy you’re here!
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