A quick and simple guide to host a wine party at home

By: Vaniitha Jaiin, On: October 24, 2015 Wine & Friends, Wine at home, Wine Dinner, Wine Fun, Wine Host, Wine party, Wine Party at Home, Wine Tasting, Wine Wednesday, Wine Weekend

There are many reasons to welcome monsoon with a big grin; along with the petrichor and pitter-patter, comes oodles of garam chai, filter kaapi, crunchy bhajiyas and long hours confined to indoors. Obviously, everyone has their way to revel in the rains, and one of it is or should wine parties. Next time rain gods choose to bless mother Earth with abundant love, bring out your bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir or Shiraz and wine glasses to rediscover the ethereal spirit with a bunch of buddies.

And here’s how you can plan an evening of wine and pleasure.

Create an interesting wine theme: Don’t just take out any and every wine in your bar cabinet, chose a theme to add fun to the wine night. You can either have different wines from a particular region, like Napa Valley or Australia or South Africa or France. Or, stick to varietals from different parts of the world, for instance Chardonnay wines from different countries. Or, go with only red or white wines. Or select different wines made by a single wine producer.

Show off your wine accessories: Glassware and quintessential wine tools are critical to wine parties. If you like to get the appropriate glasses for the reds (round and wider bowl) and whites (long and less oval-shaped), do so, otherwise the clear glasses with stems are great too. You will also need a wine opener, extra corkscrews, ice bucket to chill white wine and a decanter to bring out flavours of red wine.

Clutter free area: Select a space where you’d like to host the evening. Keep it clutter-free and have a table set where you can lay out the wines and yummy goodies.
Music: Pick soft lounge music as it sets the mood right for this elegant tipple.
Munchies: After selection of wines, comes the fodder. Match the appropriate appetizers with the drinks. For example bruschettas, bhajiyas, hummus and veggies, mixed nuts (almonds, walnuts, cashew and pistachios) match well with the rich and flavourful red wines. White wines taste good with cheese fondue, aloo chaat, mild-spicy paneer tikka, salads, etc. And don’t forget some platters of cheeses, cold cuts, crackers, fruits and olives.

Adequate H2O jugs: Drinking wine can cause dehydration so keep water jugs within easy reach. Also, for teetotallers you can pick non-alcoholic wines, beverages and mocktails.
Wine buff: Is there a wine whiz in your circle? Get him/her to talk about a little the wines selected or read up a little about the wines you selected, like where, when and how it was made. Thanks to Google, there’s a plethora of information out there for curious souls.
Fun time with quiz: You can also plan a few games to make it an interactive session. You can have games like blind wine tasting or a wine quiz comprising some simple questions.