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I find myself slightly envious of those who live downtown, surrounded by an endless supply of restaurants, patios, and other potential dining opportunities.\u00a0 Need a glass of wine? Just text a friend and hook-up in, say 20 minutes at the bistro around the corner.\u00a0\u00a0 On occasion though, even these folks ask themselves: What would it take to host a wine tasting in my own home?<\/p>\n
I\u2019ll let you in on a little secret; it\u2019s not that difficult.\u00a0 Let me give you a few pointers, but first, some background:\u00a0 I don\u2019t live downtown.\u00a0 In fact, I\u2019m so far removed from the concrete jungle that modern amenities like fibre optic phone lines and natural gas are a figment of my imagination.\u00a0 But rather than make the trek southbound to the urban sprawl for a regular dose of the wine tasting experience, I took it upon myself to recreate the same concept closer to home.\u00a0 I call it North of 9 Fine Wine<\/em>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hosting a wine tasting in your own home or at a local restaurant does involve some preparation and planning. To simplify the process, I\u2019ll break the necessary considerations down as a step-by-step checklist to ensure that we cover all the bases. \u25a1\u00a0\u00a0 Choose a style of wine or a region that you wish to profile Preparation<\/em>:<\/p>\n \u25a1\u00a0\u00a0 Select 4 to 6 different labels to represent your theme Presentation<\/em>:<\/p>\n \u25a1\u00a0\u00a0 Know your material Coordinating a wine tasting at an establishment outside of your home involves taking the concept to the next level and I recommend that you hire a BYOB licensed restaurant for the event.\u00a0 Initially, the thought might seem intimidating but in actuality, much of pressure to perform is alleviated by leaving the food prep and wine service to the restaurant staff.\u00a0 \u00a0Consider reserving a small room for your group and rather than a large meal, prearrange several rounds of appetizers specifically chosen to pair with your wine selections.\u00a0 As you conduct the tasting with the group, the staff will circulate with the food and wine which will make you look like a real hotshot!<\/p>\n Enjoy yourself and have some fun with it!\u00a0 That\u2019s why we drink the stuff in the first place.<\/p>\n – Cheers![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.nataliemaclean.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/home_tasting2.jpg\" "\\"home_tasting\\"")
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\nPlanning<\/em>:<\/p>\n
\n\u25a1\u00a0\u00a0 Pick a theme: stand-up and mingle or sit-down and focused
\n\u25a1\u00a0\u00a0 How many people will attend? ____
\n\u25a1\u00a0\u00a0 1 standard bottle will serve 12 people a 2-ounce pour
\n\u25a1\u00a0\u00a0 Food should always be available when alcohol is served (at the very least, a sliced baguette)
\n\u25a1\u00a0\u00a0 Consider the legalities and liquor laws in your area<\/p>\n
\n\u25a1\u00a0\u00a0 Consider food pairings to compliment your wine choices
\n\u25a1\u00a0\u00a0 If ranking the wines, provide grading sheets and pencils
\n\u25a1\u00a0\u00a0 Select your stemware (something large enough to swirl but not too cumbersome to handle).\u00a0 7 oz.\/200ml ISO tasting glasses cost ~ $4 each
\n\u25a1\u00a0\u00a0 Consider separate glasses for each wine or one glass with a rinse station
\n\u25a1\u00a0\u00a0 Provide wine charms if using one glass per person or use a paint marker to write each person\u2019s name on the base of their glass.
\n\u25a1\u00a0\u00a0 Labelled placemats will help keep multiple glasses organized
\n\u25a1\u00a0\u00a0 Spittoons should be made available as an option
\n\u25a1\u00a0\u00a0 Whites and sparkling wines may require ice buckets for chilling
\n\u25a1\u00a0\u00a0 Provide drinking water in a separate glass or bottle
\n\u25a1\u00a0\u00a0 Have a plan if someone has too much to drink i.e. a key bowl, taxi phone#<\/p>\n
\n\u25a1\u00a0\u00a0 As your guests arrive, consider serving a glass of sparkling wine.\u00a0 The bubbly will give them something to discuss while you fine tune last minute details.
\n\u25a1\u00a0\u00a0 Consider your crowd and set the tone: fun\/informative or wine snobbery (there is a place for each)
\n\u25a1\u00a0\u00a0 Reinforce the need to consume responsibly before you begin
\n\u25a1\u00a0\u00a0 Explain the basics (not everyone will be comfortable with the concept)
\n\u25a1\u00a0\u00a0 Taste in order of dry to sweet and light to full bodied
\n\u25a1\u00a0\u00a0 Consider the use of props such as decanters, various corkscrews, maps and literature related to your subject
\n\u25a1\u00a0\u00a0 When finished, allow some social time between the last wine sample and your guests\u2019 departure by offering tea, coffee, and a selection of baked goods.<\/p>\n
\nTyler is the founder of North of 9 Fine Wine<\/a> and also writes about wine in Footprints Magazine.<\/p>\n