Wine tasting at home: how to host the perfect wine night

Activities

If your group is looking for activities while they drink there are plenty of things to do to keep guests entertained. Have your own paint-and-sip night on a budget! You can buy tiny canvases and cheap paint (along with cheap wine if you’re into that) and put on a tutorial to follow along with. I would recommend a Bob Ross tutorial because who doesn’t love Bob Ross?

Not feeling crafty or creative? Have a blind taste test and let guests guess which wine is which. Then rank them from favorite to least favorite. You can have a mix of whites, reds, and dare we say blends to really throw your guests off. 

Or if you want to be a traditionalist you can have a pairing party. You can stick with the popular charcuterie idea that everyone loves, cheese and wine is a match made in heaven. You can also do a chocolate and wine pairing if you want more of a dessert party. Or you can pair your wine with untraditional snack pairings. 

Tips on how to select the right wine

Read the room and understand the crowd's vibe. It's easier if you already know what your guests enjoy, but the night isn't over if you don't! If you’re unsure what to grab, play it safe by grabbing a white, red, rosé, and some bubbly.

My favorite white wine is Moscato (I like sweet wine). If you're looking for something that won’t give you too much of a headache the next morning I would recommend a Sauvignon Blanc. For a red wine (not my favorite) I would reach for a merlot that is really smooth or cabernet sauvignon for a bit more of a bite.

My personal favorite is rosé. I prefer rosé sweet but you can very easily find a drier rosé to appeal to the masses. If you truly want a switch-up on the wine selection, you can never go wrong with poppin' the cork off some bubbly. Champagne is usually a crowd-pleaser and can range from sweet to dry. If you feel too much pressure on choosing the right wine, tell your guests to bring a bottle of their favorite to share!