Host a Wine Tasting Party

Wine Tasting in Your Own Enchanted Garden

Start a new tradition this fall by hosting a wine tasting party in your own backyard. Avoid the traffic and crowded vineyards… this is a great event to plan for this time of year that friends and family will love getting together for.

Ask each guest to bring a bottle of red or white wine - $25 tops. It’s a great way to find a good, inexpensive bottle of wine.

“Blind taste-testing” prevents any pre-judging and ups the fun-factor. Cover the wine label (not your guests’ eyes!) with cut-out shapes of leaves, pumpkins, acorns, or anything seasonal…pieces of festive fabric also do the trick.

Place a jar full of pencils and a stack of notepaper on your table for guests to jot down comments and rate the wines, and also a decorative canister to drop the comments into. Ask your guests to identify the bottle of wine they comment on by the shape covering the label (the “White Pumpkin”; the “Red Maple Leaf”, etc.) Read the comments and rate the wines as part of the fun. Reveal the labels at the end of your party. It’s a good idea to have wine glass charms on the wine glasses so guests sip from their own glass throughout the party. There are really fun charms sold in our local home accessories stores, or Google them for an easy DIY. A fall-themed table setting can evoke a harvest feel, or conjure up a bit of darkness… especially if your gathering is close to Halloween.

Multiple pumpkins and candles in various colors and sizes, along with other natural elements atop a wooden table adorned with nutmeg-colored fabric sets a rustic harvest feel.

For a slightly-spooky feel, include some hauntingly festive pieces and linens. A black velvet tablecloth draped over your table gives off a splendidly dark vibe. Nothing says sumptuous like dark velvet linens. But be warned…rumor has it vampires love black velvet and red wine.

If you prefer to keep things more sophisticated, forego Halloween décor on your table and use various tableware pieces in shades of green, deep purples, and black. Opt for white pumpkins instead of orange. The color scheme will suggest Halloween without screaming it. Finger foods, sliced fresh fruits, charcuterie and cheese platters pair perfectly with wine. Add a splash of creepy by placing a skeleton hand on your charcuterie spread. As the sun goes down…

Have large baskets filled with plush seasonal throws for guests to grab and wrap up in when the temps start to drop. Outdoor lighting will keep your party lively after sunset. Lanterns, string lights, and outdoor sconces add just enough light to set an eerie mood.