Looking for a unique way to entertain at home? Gather a few wine-loving friends and bring the winery home by hosting a wine tasting. An in-home wine tasting is a great way to try some M Cellars wines you’ve never had or to share our wines with friends. Wine tasting can improve your nose and palette and help you gain some knowledge about different varietals and pairings. 

Here are a few planning ideas to ensure your tasting is fun and easy. 

Guest List – There are two considerations when planning your guest list, your space and who to invite. An ideal setting is for guests to have ample room to be seated and within easy reach of the food selections. For smaller, more intimate gatherings of 6-8 people, the living room is a good option, put a lazy susan on the coffee table for food. For larger groups, of up to 12 friends, the dining room table is perfect and food items can go along the center. The guest list should include friends that drink and enjoy wine and people who are interested in trying new things. They will truly appreciate and enjoy the experience!  

Wine Selections – When planning your wine selections 4-5 is recommended with a mix of whites and reds. Start the fun with a sparkling wine followed by two whites and two reds working your way from the lightest white to the biggest red. NOTE: our recommended wine list is found that the end of this blog. 

Wine Quantity – An ideal number of bottles of each wine is two. We recommend doing a 2 oz. pour of each wine being tasted which will give you approximately 12 servings per bottle. Having an extra bottle will give your guests the opportunity to “revisit” a wine of their choice at the end of the tasting with a full pour.  

Pairings – To ensure the ultimate tasting experience plan to serve simple food pairings along with the wines. By providing a selection of cheeses, crackers, fruit, and chocolate, it will showcase the wines without overpowering or conflicting with it. Here is a recommended list: 

  • Grapes and/or strawberries 
  • One mild cheese – such as a Brie or Havarti 
  • One medium cheese – such as Gouda or Cheddar 
  • One strong cheese – such as Blue, Gorgonzola, or Stilton 
  • Chocolate (preferably dark) 
  • Crackers and plain French bread slices 

Accessories – Here is a list of recommended items to have on hand: 

  • 1 stemmed wine glass per guest 
  • A wine marker so guests can keep track of their glass 
  • A pitcher of water 
  • An empty vase or pitcher for people to pour their wine out if they don’t like it 
  • Cheeseboard, knives, napkins, and small plates 

Set-Up – Prior to guests arriving:  

  • Chill the white wines (3-4 hours in advance) and ensure the reds are kept in a cool place. 
  • Prepare your food items  
  • About 15 minutes before the tasting open the red wines so they have time to breathe. 

Time to Taste – If you want to be a little more formal with your tasting, you can use a tasting menu to “present” each wine and have guests take notes about the wines. If you prefer to be more casual just talk through each one as you go and ask guests to share their thoughts.  

As you go through the wines suggest guests taste some of the food selections to see how it works with each wine. Typically, the fruit and milder cheeses work best with the whites while the medium and stronger cheeses work with the reds. At the end of the tasting offer guests a glass of one of their favorite wines. 

Wine List & Notes 

  1. 2020 Blanc de Blanc – start with our beautiful sparkling wine made in the true method champenoise as guests arrive, so they can enjoy a glass while they mix and mingle.  
  2. 2021 Pinot Gris – once guests are seated move to our Pinot Gris as the first of two white wines. This Pinot Gris is crisp and bright with lemon, peach, and tropical fruit flavors. Perfect to pair with a soft Brie or Havarti 
  3. 2019 Chardonnay Reserve – this wine has a creamy, full-bodied texture with notes of pear, pineapple, and underlying minerals. Pair this is a Gouda or Swiss cheese. 
  4. 2019 Pinot Noir Reserve – this classic Pinot Noir has lovely notes of cherry, black raspberry, and baking spices. Pair this with an aged Cheddar or nutty Romano cheese. 
  5. 2020 Meritage Reserve – made in the traditional Bordeaux style, this is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petite Verdot. A full-bodied wine with flavors of dried dark fruit, spices, and fine-grained tannins. Pair this wine with a strong Blue, Gorgonzola, or Stilton cheese.  

Are you ready to bring the winery home. Order some wines, gather your friends and host your own wine tasting! Cheers! 

 

Have you considered our wine club? Our club members enjoy member exclusive pricing on wine purchases, priority  access to private events, member referral reward program, as well as many other perks. Click here to learn more and join today.