How to Host a Wine-Tasting Party at Home

Why throw a wine-tasting party at home? 🍾

Hosting get-togethers at home can get a little same-same if you don’t switch things up a bit. Board games, movies, and book clubs? Been there-and-done-that. If you’re looking for a fun and sophisticated activity to share with your guests, it’s time to host an at-home (or virtual) wine-tasting event! 🏠 🍷

Next time you feel like inviting your friends around for some casual beers or cocktails or logging on for another Zoom hang, why not switch things up with a classy but entertaining evening celebrating one of humanity’s best (and oldest) inventions: wine? 

Delicious and varied, a wine and cheese party is a great way to try out lots of different flavors and food pairings without breaking the bank. Take yourself and your friends to cloud wine with these simple steps to curating an elevated wine tasting event from your very own home. 

For participants 21+ only.

Sip back and relax with these 5 at-home wine tasting party tips:

1. Organize a variety of delicious, seasonal wines 🍇

Naturally, one of the most important components of a wine tasting party is the wine itself. You want to serve a broad-enough variety of wines so you get the whole tasting experience, full of old-world wines, acidic wines, and everything in between!

In a hospitality setting, sommeliers will curate a menu of wines that typically range from lighter wines and fruity flavors to rich and intense, ending with a sweet finish. So how much wine do you need? That all depends on how many guests you're expecting if you're hosting an in-person event. If you can organize at least one wine from each of the following six categories, your wine tasting menu will be well-rounded and full-bodied. 

• Light white wines – Pinot Grigio, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, or Albariño
• Bold white wines – Oaked chardonnay, Viognier, or Muscat 
• Rosé – Syrah, Pinot Noir Rosé, or Provence Rosé
• Light red wines – Gamay, Pinot Noir, or Pinotage 
• Bold red wines – Shiraz, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux
• Sweet or Sparkling wines – Port, Sherry, or Champagne

In order to try a broad variety, get wines from different years, fermentation processes, and regions. To make the evening more affordable, ask each of your guests to pick up one bottle from the wine store to share. Just make sure no one brings the same wine! If you're hosting a virtual wine tasting with friends, consider a hosted experience where you can try all the wines handpicked for you.

How to get started 👉 Want Confetti to do all the planning? Book a Virtual Wine Tasting, complete with wine tasting kits and hosted by your very own wine expert!

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2. Create ambiance with music, lighting, and décor 🎶

Home wine tasting parties are generally on the more sophisticated end of the party spectrum, so don’t be afraid to go all out and create an atmosphere that feels truly cultured. Set out a lavish table complete with beautiful wine glasses, hors d'oeuvres, and soft mood lighting. 

Candles and fairy lights create a cozy, intimate atmosphere that will certainly enhance the mood of your tasting experience. Play some smooth jazz or similar background music to add extra ambiance. 

How to get started 👉 Before your guests arrive, invite them to contribute their favorite background music on a collaborative Spotify playlist. Encourage everyone to add some music from the same region as the wine they're bringing for an even more enriching experience!

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3. Serve magical food pairings 🧀

One of the many great things about wine tasting is the food pairing potential. And for those who don’t like drinking too much, the option to snack on some delectable items will be a welcomed party favor. When it comes to wine and food pairings, here are some ideas to get you started: 

• White wine – Seafood, garlic, pork, stone fruits, French cheeses 
• Rosé – Chicken, soft cheeses, mint, charcuterie 
• Red wine – Red meat, dark chocolate pairings, roasted vegetables, mushrooms, tomato
• Sweet wine – Hard and soft cheeses, smoked or cured meat, roasted nuts, ice cream 

With this guide, you can compile a menu for each phase of your wine tasting events. Your guests will love the diversity of flavors and textures with every sip. Make sure to put out plain crackers to accompany your charcuterie board or other food to act as palate cleansers in between different wines.

How to get started 👉 Elevate your evening with a Cheese Tasting, hosted by a knowledgeable tasting guide.

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4. Introduce some games ♟️

Games are the perfect wine tasting party ideas! You can play wine-centered games while sipping your drinks to keep everyone’s mood buoyant and warm. Try these ideas on for size:

• Wine trivia – Gather some quirky questions about wine history, production, flavor, and region. Split your group into two teams for some added friendly competition! 
• Blind wine tasting party – When you taste wine without knowing what's in your glass, guessing what’s in your mouth is much harder (and funnier) than usual. Take turns blindfolding each other and guessing which type of wine is being tasted. You may be surprised at how much more your taste buds observe during a blind tasting!
• Draw the wine label – If you’ve got some artsy friends, print out some blank wine labels and lay out the sharpies. You can all redecorate your favorite wines and create some memorable doodles in the process! 🎨
• Describe this wine – We’re all familiar with the enigma and pretentiousness that often shrouds wine flavor profiles. But you and your friends can lean into this stereotype by coming up with some of the wackiest descriptions around. The best description can even get a wine bottle gift as a prize!

Wine is the kind of beverage that gets everyone feeling merry. But with engaging and creative games, you’ll enhance the party's atmosphere even further and ensure everyone feels wine and dandy. 

How to get started 👉 Decide on what games are best for your guests and format, then pick out a bottle of wine for your winners! Feeling generous? Make sure your guests all go home with a wine glass or wine gift bag as a souvenir!

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5. Keep it intimate and inclusive ✨

A great wine tasting isn’t like a regular drinking party. It’s largely about social connection, trying different wines and flavor profiles, and engaging with some of the best people you know. Keep things intimate and cozy by inviting a group of 10 or fewer, ensuring everyone feels comfortable and welcome. 

Bust out the good glasses and the mood lighting and let the evening unwind in the most luxurious and entertaining of ways. There’s nothing better than indulging in some delicious, aromatic booze with your favorite partners in wine!

How to get started 👉 Once you've created your guest list, hop onto Canva to design some free, personalized invitations!

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Host a wine-tasting party with Confetti! 🍷

Home wine tastings are an excellent way to bond with friends (or colleagues) over different cultures and quality food and drink. Unless you’ve got a lot of money to burn, they’re often a lot more affordable than going to a restaurant for a professional tasting experience. 

P.S. Your guests don't have to be under the same roof either! Ready to throw the perfect virtual wine tasting party? Contact [email protected] to get started!

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