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Tips and Suggestions for Hosting a Red Wine Tasting

As winter draws to a close, let's send it off in style! How about hosting a red wine tasting party with your nearest and dearest? Sure, white and red wines are like those trusty pals we hang out with all year round. But when Jack Frost comes nipping at our noses, there's something irresistibly cozy about curling up with a glass of robust red. Reds have this awesome superpower of warming us from the inside out, courtesy of their higher alcohol content, rich tannin levels, and often fuller body. Talk about a winter warmer!


The secret sauce? It's all in the skin! Red grapes come with thick, colorful skins that infuse the wine with a spectrum of hues, tantalizing aromas, and flavors. Unlike in white winemaking, where the grape skins usually get the boot. And let's not forget about tannins. These bitter compounds, which find their way into the wine from grape skins, seeds, and oak barrels, give reds their unique astringency and mouth-feel. Reds are the undisputed tannin titans, boasting way more tannins than whites.


So, why not bid farewell to winter by exploring the warm, diverse world of red wines? Gather your friends or family, pop open some bottles, and toast to the end of the season!


Suggested Wines and Varietals

Here are a few suggested wines and different varieties for a tasting. Not included is Cabernet Sauvignon, a rich full-bodied red wine that is extremely popular and is grown in almost every wine-growing region in the world. Since it tops the list of red varieties, you and your guests are probably familiar with it already. A tasting gives you and your guests the opportunity to explore new wines that you otherwise might not try. Who knows … you may come across a new favorite in the process!

  • How Many Wines for Tasting

    Select 4-6 wines - while this may not seem like many, it will allow guests to appreciate any subtle similarities and/or differences between them, and a smaller number is also more manageable for the party host.

  • How Many Bottles to Purchase

    A tasting pour is approximately half a regular serving (or 2-3 oz.). Since a standard wine bottle contains 750 ml (slightly more than 25 oz.), figure 8-12 tasting glasses/bottle. There will likely be some favorites, so you may want to purchase an extra bottle of each wine to enjoy after the tasting is complete. 

  • Wine Tasting Order

    There is an order when it comes to tasting wine, and at a winery or professional tasting, they are poured in the correct order. It’s important to know what that order is for your at-home tasting, too. Move from whites to reds (begin with sparkling if serving), lightest to most full-bodied, driest to sweetest, and youngest to oldest. By tasting each wine in their proper order, you’ll be able to better enjoy the rich, layered flavors of every option at your wine tasting event.

  • Tasting Supplies

    • Wine glasses: 1 wine glass/wine/guest is preferable, and if you don't have enough glassware, then provide a way for guests to rinse their individual glass between tastings
    • Wine charms or paper labels for guests to keep track of their glasses
    • Pitcher of water with water glasses along with plain crackers or baguette for guests to cleanse palate after each tasting
    • Bucket or some type of receptacle for guests to dispose of any excess wine
    • Paper placemats (optional, but helpful in assisting guests remember which wine is which) 
    • Using the bottom of a wine glass as a template, draw a circle for each wine being sampled, then write the wine name in the circle
    • Wine pourer (optional) - This handy tool provides a more precise pour and also helps to aerate the wine, which releases the wine’s full flavor and bouquet
    • Paper and pens for guests to jot down notes as they taste or create a wine score card like this one here 
    • Small plates for food
    • Napkins

  • What to Serve at a Wine Tasting

    Pairing food and wine is much less complicated for a tasting as compared to a dinner. A charcuterie board is a perfect accompaniment to a wine tasting with its variety of foods, flavors and textures. Charcuterie boards are fun to create and easy to put together. Check out our blog on how to build one here!


    By keeping the food simple, you can enjoy the wine tasting too! 


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How to Taste 


This is when the fun begins! We love Williams Sonoma for their high-quality kitchen and home goods, but did you know they have great entertaining tips and information as well? Here you can learn both the how-tos of wine tasting and terminology associated with it! 


You may also want to check out their extensive array of wine glasses, especially if you’re in the market for some colorful drinkware, designed for outdoor entertaining.


Now that you have the basics for hosting a successful wine tasting, it’s time to schedule your tasting, shop for the wines, and enjoy sipping with your friends. Cheers!

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