Wine Tasting Party at Home Guide

• There are different wine tastings, such as vertical tasting, horizontal tasting, Old World vs New World wine tasting, or blind tasting, to test your knowledge!
• Be prepared - The appropriate glassware and the wine's temperature are essential, so make sure Red wine is at room temperature and white wine is in the cooler, chilling.
• Take notes! It's essential to note the wine's taste, look, and smell (aroma) to compare them at the end.

Wine tasting is all about the experience; you don’t need to visit a vineyard to enjoy it. With some planning, you can host a memorable and educational wine tasting party from the comfort of your home, your favourite pub’s private corner, or even virtually.

Why Host a Wine Tasting Party?

A wine tasting event is a fun and social way to explore new grape varieties and regions. From the French Loire Valley to South Africa’s Western Cape, you can take your guests on a global wine journey, all in one evening!

What will I need for my wine-tasting party?

Here’s a checklist of essentials for your wine tasting party:

• Guest invitations – Send these out in advance and let guests know if it’s themed or if they should bring food or wine.
• Tasting cards – Use Wineware’s Wine Tasting Notes (available in PDF or Excel format) or design your own.
• Appetisers/snacks – These should complement the wines, not compete with them.
• Jug of water – For palate cleansing between wines.
• Wine accessories – Corkscrews, wine coolers, decanters or carafes.
• Spittoon (optional) – For those tasting without drinking.
• Appropriate glassware – ISO wine glasses are the recognised standard.
• Wine bottles – See the types of tastings below to help guide your choices.
  

What Type of Wine Tasting Should I Host?

Vertical Wine Tasting

Sample the same variety of wine from one producer across different vintage years. Ideal for appreciating how factors like climate affect each harvest. Use tasting notes to track year-by-year differences – and enjoy some fascinating conversation.

Example: Compare a 2017, 2018, and 2019 Pinot Noir from the same vineyard.

Horizontal Wine Tasting

Compare different wines from the same vintage year but from multiple producers. Choose wines from the same region (or different countries) to notice winemaking style differences and regional influence.

Example: Several 2020 Chardonnays from France, California, and Australia.

Old World vs New World Wine Tasting

Taste the same grape grown in two different parts of the world. The "Old World" (Europe) offers more traditional styles, while the "New World" (Australia, South Africa, the Americas) often brings bolder, fruitier interpretations.

Example: Sauvignon Blanc from France vs New Zealand.

What should I use to record my wine-tasting observations?

How to Organise Your Wine Tasting Party

Space & Layout

• Arrange wines in tasting order: light whites → full-bodied reds → dessert wines.
• Provide tasting notes or info cards for each bottle so guests can learn as they sip.
• Ensure you have enough table space and chairs for comfort.

Wine Preparation

• Chill whites, rosés, and sparkling wines ahead of time.
• Let reds breathe before serving. Use carafes or decanters if needed.
• Refer to our Wine Temperature Guide for perfect serving temperatures.

Glassware

Use proper ISO wine tasting glasses; they enhance aroma and flavour. For more details, check out our Guide to Wine Tasting Glasses.

Leading the Tasting – Step-by-Step

This is the general structure you can follow for your tasting:

	1. Welcome your guests Introduce the theme and distribute tasting sheets and appetisers.
	2. Use a printed guide Offer copies of our How to Taste Wine – A Complete Guide for detailed tasting instructions.
	3. Sample the first wine Pour a small measure and encourage conversation. Let guests make notes using the tasting cards.
	4. Cleanse between tastings Serve palate cleansers like bread rolls, breadsticks, or mild canapés between wines.
	5. Final discussion After the tasting, invite everyone to vote on their favourite. Which bottle deserves the “Best Wine of the Night” title?