DeVine Tastings - Party Themes

Themes for Wine Tasting Parties

Suggested Themes for Tastings based on Occasions

There are many occasions that call out to be marked by a wine tasting party and still others that wait to be created in order to have a wine tasting party. Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher have written a book devoted to choosing wines for specific occasions as well as making occasions out of "every day" sorts of days. Entitled Wine for Every Day and Every Occasion: Red, White and Bubbly to Celebrate the Joy of Living, it is full of ideas about possible themes for wine tastings, among other topics. Here, we will provide a few of our favorite occasions for wine tasting.

Beaujolais Nouveau

Beaujolais Nouveau is released on the third Thursday of November every year and if ever there were a day destined for tasting a particular wine, this would be it. The tradition began over a hundred years ago as a local harvest celebration in Beaujolais, the southernmost part of France's Burgundy region. It was formalized first in 1938, again in 1951, and then again in 1985 when the current release date was settled.

By the early 1990s, the release of the famed Beaujolais Nouveau had evolved into an international event and the fanfare reached unprecedented and probably unimagined commercial heights. Sales grew from a million bottles in 1960 to 70 million bottles last year. (We fully expect, some time soon, to find a Hallmark card in our mailbox heralding its arrival on that third Thursday in November.)

Beaujolais Nouveau is a very young red Beaujolais; that is, the Nouveau is made from the same grape, Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc, but picked, made into wine, and put in a bottle, all just a few weeks before release. Technically speaking, the wine should be called Beaujolais Primeur because of its very early release, but Nouveau has stuck.

The young wine is rather grapey but bright, not terribly serious but fun. It should be drunk very soon after release (definitely not after the first of the year). The other Beaujolais is famously fruity--lots of berries--and spicy, perhaps peppery, light, and lively. It, also, is meant to be drunk young.

You may find quite a few Beaujolais Nouveaux in the store, depending on the size of your community. Ask your friendly wine merchant for recommendations. Consider including some of the other Beaujolais (that are not nouveau) for comparison. Both can be served slightly chilled and both go nicely with a full array of foods.

Beaujolais Nouveau is inexpensive and highly quaffable (well, most of it), making it a terrific subject for a wine tasting. Make a banner, in the French tradition, proclaiming its arrival: Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé! Don't invite anyone who has his or her nose permanently posed upward--this is a tasting revolving around pure fun. Enjoy!

Thanksgiving

Although the spotlight always rests on the food at the American Thanksgiving table, it is also a great time to open several wines for tasting at the table. We set the table with three wine glasses, each with a Wine Tasting Ring wrapped around the stem, and choose three wines (any more is too many), to be served at the same time.

There is a cacophonous professional debate about the best wine to pair with the traditional turkey and trimmings and there certainly may be familial debate about which wine to serve. A wine tasting may satisfy the desires of everyone and even settle the "best wine" question once and for all. (Although we doubt it since the best wine is really in the taste buds of the beholder and is so dependent on the menu as well, not to mention the company!)

Red wines to consider for the Thanksgiving table are: Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, Burgundy, Côtes-du-Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Chianti, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Barabaresco. White wines to consider include: lightly oaked Chardonnays, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Viognier, and Sauvignon Blanc. This is absolutely not an exhaustive list, as even a cursory review of the subject will reveal.

We encourage you to think about what you really like--Thanksgiving is an important holiday in most homes and the beverage you serve should garner as much attention as the rest of the table. Review your menu--knowing whether sweet potatoes with marshmallows will be on the table may help you narrow your wine choices. Consult your friendly wine merchant early--get some ideas about what is available.

When the turkey is ready, uncork all three bottles, wrap the Rings around the stems of the glasses, give thanks, and enjoy. Let us know what you tasted and what you preferred.

We hope we have inspired you to go with a theme for your wine tasting party. We would love to hear about your tasting.