WINE TASTING PARTY

Wine Tasting Party
A bit of planning was involved, which I love to do! I had brochures for each person as they entered the house. Inside it included the three areas of the house that they would rotate throughout the evening and where they would mingle with smaller groups of people to get to know them better. After about 20-30 minutes I rang a bell and we switched rooms. The inside of the brochure also included some diagrams of which wines goes with what kinds of food as well as if you like bold, sweet, fruity, which wines that would be to select. All of which I found on the internet.
The table in the entryway also had a vase with wine corks for guessing the number. A bag of wine goodies (a cute towel, tags for identifying whose wine glass was whose, a cork screw, etc.) was the prize for the winner.
Each couple was asked to bring one bottle of wine. They were asked to be prepared to share a story about the wine, it could be true or made up. 

 There were three areas to which the groups of four would rotate. As I always do before guest arrive for any event we host, I set out the serving dishes and put sticky notes of what will be in them. It helps me know what I may or may not have or need. Each room included; cheeses, meats, crackers, bread, chocolate, grapes, olives and a "meaty dish".

 The den was one area and we used an old tea cart that was my mother-in-laws. I tried to use blue and wood serving pieces in this area. We used a plastic wine glass as the "dump bucket", but it was never used since everyone enjoyed their wine. .Each area also had a small trash can for the plates and napkins.

The kitchen was an area I tried to use mostly white serving dishes. I have a board with the bible verse about Jesus being the vine and us being the branches. It was a nice addition to this event as all our friends are Christians. Between us and many friends and restaurants, we have collected corks for years. I made a cover for our stove top that my husband helped support it with plywood. We usually put it over the stove top on the island. This picture is on the side area because my family was not through cooking breakfast when I took this.

 The bar area was our third place for which we gathered to share our wines and stories. In each area, my husband and I provided a wine as well. With 12 of us, each serving was truly a taste as to not drink too much for the evening. This piece of furniture is also from my mother-on-law. It's an old bar. Really neat how it opens up and provides light. The side shelves were great for small items, such as chocolates and a tray of crackers. I tried to use silver in this serving area. It was the smallest of the three and you will notice that the candle will not be in the final picture because we had too much food!

 I decorated the mantle with some vines from Michael's and a cork tray we made along with empty bottles of wine.

                                                                    THE DEN
Tacos on the warming tray, country bread slices, manchego and dubliner cheese, herbed oil, salami and turkey meat, marinated mozzarella, baked brie with chipolte raspberry sauce, chocolate cookies and grapes! The drawer to the tea cart worked great for holding napkins and plates.

THE KITCHEN

This area had crackers, tzatziki, Parmesan Reggiano, olives, grapes, nuts, cranraisins, chocolate almonds, a bacon-onion Gruyere warm dip, meat tray (kind of out of sight) and a bowl of french bread.

THE BAR

More of the same kind of food. A warming dish had bar-b-q sausage slices.

                                                                  Enjoying the party. 

Finally dessert. At the end of the evening we all gathered in the den to have a dessert wine. It was from Ferrari Carano in California. Part of the inspiration for this party was out first trip to California wine country this summer. This dessert wine is "red wine with natural dark chocolate". We love the Messina Hof Ebony Ports of Call from College Station, TX, but this was so delicious that we bought two bottles and couldn't wait to share one with our friends. The cup cakes were purple inside and a cream icing. My son helped me decorate them. Actually he did the whole thing as I lost patience several times trying to put the grape candies on them..

We all had a great time and we look forward to doing it again. Next time, not so much food. We have had grilled cheese, mac and cheese. cheese, cheese and more cheese the week after.