Novice Wine Tasting Party

[comtoc]

Hi, everyone! I am new here and I was hoping you could help me. My husband and I are hosting a small, family wine tasting this weekend. People are asking us what they should bring. The family does this from time-to-time, and now it's our turn, but we know so little! We'll be tasting reds. Could you please suggest 6 or 7 good, relatively inexpensive red wines? We are looking for a range of tastes. Also, is it necessary to decant all of the reds before tasting? Is there some "tasting protocol" for reds? Do you have any other tips for a tasting? Any and all advice is appreciated. Thank you so much!

[hotwine]

Hi, Comtoc, and welcome to the board. Yesterday, someone asked about red wines to serve with appetizers, and we offered several suggestions that would work well for your wine tasting. Look in http://www.wines.com/ubb2/Forum2/HTML/000639.html

[MontereyRick]

funny you should ask this question regarding "wine tasting protocol" as I just finished reading an archived article on just this at the winespectator.com.

Here is the URL if interested:
http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Archives/Show_Article/0,1275,893,00.html

[cpurvis]

Welcome comtoc. Hints:

1)taste "blind"...don't let participants know what they're tasting 'til after they've done so. Taste blind yourself by wrapping brown paper around each bottle & numbering the bottles ahead of time.

2)provide pencil & paper for participants to note flavors & preferences.

3)consider tasting each wine before food & then with food.

4)relax...it's about having FUN!

cp

[ShortWiner]

Try to get a range of different styles in your tasting--that's what makes these things fun and informative. For example, make sure you get some lighter, fruitier varieties--beaujolais, sangiovese. And some middleweights like cotes du rhone or cabernet franc. And end with a couple blockbusters--big zinfandel, cabernet sauvingon, shiraz. And have fun, dang it! A tasting, especially at your home, should be all about finding out what you like and don't like and enjoying everything.

[comtoc]

Thank you, everyone, for your help!

We really had a wonderful evening. My uncle is fairly knowledgeable about wines, so he kind of gave a running commentary about what we were tasting. He also usurped pouring responsibilities. [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

Some of the guests took turns teasing my mother for her choice of beverage. She generally prefers white wines and blushes, and she thinks reds are too bitter. She took a beautiful Cabernet and mixed it with lime-flavored sparking water and ice. Well, as long as she was happy, right?

The real treat of the night was the Tomasi Valpolicella Classico Superiore. I'd read about it on this board and picked up a bottle for the tasting. It was a definate favorite in our little group. I'll definately get another bottle for home, since we enjoyed it so much and it was so cheap ($12).

Thanks, again!
-Comtoc =)

[Innkeeper]

Glad everyone was hoppy. We aim to please.