How can you organize a wine tasting yourself?
Organizing a wine tasting is a great way to get to know and enjoy wine in the company of friends or colleagues. Whether you're a budding wine enthusiast or already experienced with wine, there's always something new to discover and learn. In this blog we give you some tips on how to organize a successful wine tasting.
Start with a good preparation & location
A successful wine tasting starts with good preparation. A warm wine that should actually be cold or just not enough glasses are mistakes that you can prevent with good preparation. It is also important to choose a good location for a wine tasting. A pleasant environment, such as a quiet and comfortable room with good lighting and temperature, can contribute to the enjoyment of the wine. We have prepared some checklists to help you on your way.
Location checklist
- Provide enough seating or standing places
- Temperature: is the temperature comfortable or can you heat it? In a cold basement, you can instruct guests to bring a warm vest.
- The acoustics: make sure that you can be heard clearly and that you are not bothered by disturbing noises.
- Make sure there is sufficient atmospheric lighting or daylight
- Cooling room or other cooling options
- Fragrance: Make sure the room has neutral scents. Fragrance diffusers or a grill air present can influence the experience of the wine.
- Have toilets / soap / hand towels available
- Waste bins
Wine tasting checklist
- Make a good wine selection and bring plenty of wine
- Make sure you have enough clean glassware, and also take some spares with you
- Cooling room - whether cool bags or refrigerators. Have wine on the correct temperature.
- Tap water / water bottles
- Water glasses
- Spittoons (spittoons)
- Optional: make use of test forms, this is a coat rack that makes it easier for people to analyze the wine and also a nice memento of the tasting.
Additional off-site checklist
A wine tasting outside can contribute to a positive experience. There is, however, something more to consider:
- Can you sit in the shade in a bright sun or extreme heat? If not, can you provide something for this?
- Is there an alternative option in case of rain?
- Is there a toilet you can use?
- When it is hot, pour slightly smaller glasses and extra water, because alcohol dries out and can therefore hit more violently.
Be mindful of your group
If you give a tasting to your family and friends, you often already know who you have in front of you. If someone is less able, such as difficulty walking, visually impaired or hearing impaired, take into account the location you select and whether you will do the tasting standing or sitting. This way everyone can enjoy the tasting equally.
Tip: Be well informed about groups you don't know well.
Choose a direction / theme for your tasting
When it comes to wine tasting, choosing a theme is important. It gives direction to the tasting, enhances the experience, increases the interest and involvement of the participants and ensures a unique experience. In addition, it makes the selection and presentation of wines easier, and gives participants something to look forward to and better connect with the wines.
Examples of wine tasting themes
Introduction to wine (for beginners)
This is a very suitable theme for people who want to get acquainted with the theme of wine. During this introduction the following topics can be discussed:
- What is Wine?
- How is wine made?
- What are different known grape varieties?
It is useful to choose wines in which a grape variety plays the leading role. With a fancy word this is called 'monocépage' wine. During this tasting you can actively analyze the difference in smell and taste of the different grape varieties.
Well-known white grape varieties are: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling. Well-known red grape varieties are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir.
A specific country or region theme
There are many interesting regional and country themes for wine tasting, depending on personal preference and interest. Here are some popular or innovative choices:
- Local wines: Dutch wines from different regions such as the Maas valley or Twente.
- Bordeaux, France: A well-known region for red wines, with well-known classifications such as Médoc, Saint-Émilion and Pomerol.
- Tuscany, Italy: a region known for its powerful reds and complex whites.
- Napa Valley, California: A popular wine region in the United States, known for its high quality red wines, especially Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Spain: a country with a rich wine history, known for its Tempranillo and Rioja wines.
- South Africa: an emerging wine region, known for its Syrah and Chenin Blanc wines.
- Georgia: one of the oldest wine countries in the world.
These are just a few examples, and there are many more interesting regional and country themes to choose from, depending on personal preference and interest.
Grape variety
- Stainless steel or wood aged
- Difference in climate: such as wine from the same grape from a warm and cold climate
- Differences in age, this is how you discover the influence of ripening on this specific grape variety
- Wine from the same grape, from both the old and the new world.
Then prepare a presentation about the grape variety, in which you inform about characteristics of the grape such as color, smell and taste. You can also tell about the origin and where the grape variety is common today.
type of wine
- Sparkling wines
- White
- Rose
- Blanc de Noir
- Orange
- Red
- Reinforced / Port
- Sherry wines
Here you can name the different types of wines and how they are made. Select 5 to 7 different wines of the same type and analyze the similarities and differences with the group.
Horizontal wine tasting
A horizontal wine tasting is a tasting where you taste different wines from the same winery, the same wine region or the same year side by side. It allows you to directly compare the nuances and differences between the wines, which can be educational and interesting. For example, it can be different vintages of the same wine to compare vintages, or wines from the same winery or region to discover the style and characteristics. It's a fun way to learn more about wine and enjoy the diversity of flavors.
Vertical wine tasting
A vertical wine tasting is a tasting where you taste the same wine from different vintages of a winery. This allows you to experience the evolution of the wine over time and discover the differences between the years. It is interesting to see how the taste and characteristics of the wine change with the vintage, and it helps to understand the influence of climate and other factors on wine production.
Natural wine tasting
In a natural wine tasting you can discover the unique flavors and characteristics of natural wines, such as lively acidity, complex aromas and an unfiltered texture. You can also experience the influence of organic, biodynamic or minimal intervention winemaking methods, and taste the vineyard's natural terroir and grape varieties. Natural wines can vary in flavor profile and style, and a tasting offers the opportunity to compare different natural wines and discover the diversity of this unique and exciting wine style.
Sparkling wine tasting
During a sparkling wine tasting you can enjoy the different styles and flavors of sparkling wines, such as Champagne, Cava, Prosecco and other sparkling wines. You can taste the variations in taste, aroma, acidity and texture, and discover the influence of the production method, grape varieties and regions. You can also learn about the different sweetness levels, from brut to doux, and different etiquettes and winemaking techniques used in sparkling wine production. It can be a festive and educational experience to explore the world of sparkling wines and enjoy the sparkling diversity they have to offer.
Blind Tasting (advanced)
A blind wine tasting is a tasting where the bottles of wine are presented without the tasters knowing what wine is in each bottle. This means that the tasters judge the wines based on taste, aroma and other characteristics without any prior knowledge of the winery, grape variety, region or vintage. It is often considered a challenging tasting for more advanced wine drinkers as it requires them to make good use of their senses and knowledge of wine to correctly identify and judge the wines. A blind wine tasting can be fun and educational as it helps tasters improve their tasting skills and wine knowledge and challenges them to use their taste buds in a new way.
Our wine tasting 'Extra Royale' consists only of the most exclusive wines from the Netherlands.
Selecting wines
Now that the theme of the wine tasting is known, you can start choosing the wines. Keep the following in mind:
Diversity
Ensure diversity in the wines you select. For example, choose wines from different regions, countries, grape varieties, wine styles, price ranges, and producers to create a varied and interesting tasting palette.
Quality
Select good quality wines. Do some research on the reputation of the producers, the ratings of the wines, and any accolades or awards. Ensure the wines are representative of the intended quality and value for the tasting.
balance
Ensure a good balance between the wines. Pay attention to factors such as intensity of flavor, acidity, sugar content, tannins (in red wines), and alcohol levels to ensure that the wines are well matched and complement each other during the tasting.
Presentation
Think about the presentation of the wines during the tasting. Make sure the wines are ordered in the right order, for example from light to heavy wines, or from dry to sweet. Also ensure the correct temperature of the wines and the necessary tasting glasses and tools.
Can't quite figure it out? Let yourself be advised by a wine specialist.
How do you calculate how much wine to buy?
Determine the number of participants in the wine tasting.
Determine the number of wines you want to taste.
Determine the amount of wine you want to pour. For tastings with many wines (8 or more) we recommend pouring a sample, this is up to about 40 ml.
Is the tasting meant to sit comfortably and enjoy the wine? Determine the amount of wine you want to pour per tasting glass, for a tasting glass we recommend pouring 80 to 100 ml.
Example calculation:
Number of participants: 10
Number of wines: 6
Amount of wine per tasting glass: 40 ml
Amount of wine per drinking glass: 80 to 100 ml
Total amount of wine per tasting round: 10 (participants) x 85 ml (per tasting glass) = 850 ml of each wine you will serve.
Since bottles are often sold in 750ml bottles, you probably need 2 bottles per wine. You will then have some wine left over per bottle. When you close it after the tasting with argon gas you can store this in a cool and dark place for up to 8 weeks.
Always make sure you have something extra, if you pour a little more than calculated, you have a buffer
When purchasing, pay attention to the number of milliliters of wine in the packaging. This is often 750 ml, but there are also packages with 350, 500 or 1500 ml.
Would you like to give the option to take the wines home after the tasting? Then bring something extra for the sale.
Promote your wine tasting
You have found a good location and know what you want to taste. If you do not yet have any 'customers' for whom you are organizing the tasting, it is advisable to promote the tasting. To ensure that the promotion is a success, it is advisable to answer the following questions:
Who what where when why?
- Who is the wine tasting intended for?
- What will people do during the wine tasting?
- Where will the event take place?
- When is it?
- Why should people participate?
Public events can promote you through the following channels:
- Own website
- Create a newsletter
- Facebook (via Events, page, wine related groups, stories)
- Instagram (via post, story, reel)
- Eventbrite
- Press release
It is advisable to start the promotion 4 to 6 weeks before the tasting.
Precaution
Make sure to send a confirmation email to those who have booked a wine tasting with you. State clearly where and at what time the tasting takes place, so that participants are well prepared and can arrive without frustration. It shows that as an organizer you provide a warm welcome and professional approach. Cheers!
Giving the wine tasting
Congratulations, you have made all the preparations: found the perfect location, chosen a theme and carefully selected the wines. You have promoted your tasting and invited participants. Now is the time to share your passion for wine and give the tasting you've been looking forward to. At this stage of the process, we will look at the details of the tasting itself and what to look out for during the tasting. So take a deep breath, get your glasses ready and shine while giving your amazing wine tasting!
Step 1: Do the wine check
- Are the wines ready on the correct temperature?
- Taste the wines beforehand, make sure you don't serve wines that aren't good
- If possible, have a spare bottle of each wine ready
Step 2: Check your glasses
Check the wine glasses beforehand. Make sure they are well cleaned and polished, with no musty aromas. Neutral glasses ensure an optimal aroma and taste experience of the wine. Consider setting out 2 glasses per guest, one for white wine and one for red wine.
Step 3: Cover the table
- Put water on the table
- Place bread or crackers on the table, this ensures that the taste is neutralized.
- Optional: make use of test forms.
- Optional: put some charcuterie or matching cheeses on the table. Please note that the flavors of the snacks can influence the taste of the wine. Taste for which combinations go well and explain this to the participants.
Step 4: Turn on matching background music
Music can contribute to the atmosphere and experience during a wine tasting. When selecting music, it is important to consider the theme and tone of the tasting. Also, the music should not be too dominant, so that the focus remains on the wine.
Introduce yourself and what you will be doing
A warm welcome and a clear explanation of what will happen at a wine tasting ensure a pleasant atmosphere and understanding among the participants. It sets the tone for an enjoyable and organized tasting experience that everyone can enjoy!
Make sure you interact during the tasting
Ask open-ended questions about the wines being tasted, such as “What do you smell in this wine?” or “What flavors do you taste?” This encourages participants to share their impressions and talk to each other about what they are tasting. Actively involving participants enriches the experience and makes participants more engaged. It allows participants to ask questions, learn from others and develop their own taste buds. Interaction can also contribute to a cozy and relaxed atmosphere, which improves the overall experience.
Complete the tasting
A wine tasting can be concluded well by thanking participants for coming and asking for feedback on their experience. As a host you can also briefly discuss where the tasted wines can be obtained, for example at a local specialty store or online. Providing this information can help participants find and purchase their newly discovered favorite wines in the future.
Serving temperature for the wines
Make sure the wines are at the correct serving temperature. If the wine is drunk too cold or too hot, the experience can be a lot less pleasant.
Recommended serving temperature for non-red wines:
- Sparkling wines: 5-8ºC
- Light and fresh white, rosé & orange wines: 8-10ºC
- Full and powerful white, rosé & orange wines: 10-12ºC
Recommended serving temperature for red wines
- Light and fruity red wines: 14-16ºC
- Full and powerful red wines: 16-18ºC
