| So you want to host a wine tasting party? And you | | | | excellent selections of cured olives. These are |
| want your event to be as fun and educational as | | | | extremely easy. Simply serve them in some bowl or |
| possible, right? Well as much as some people like to | | | | dish and be sure to supply an empty bowl for |
| focus just on wine alone, food and wine are a match | | | | discarded pits. There are several varieties to choose |
| made in heaven. Besides, when people start drinking | | | | from. Try to avoid very spicy or salty ones as these |
| wine and the fun discussion begins, people tend to | | | | can interfere with the tasting of wine. |
| get hungry. So even if you are not hosting a full wine | | | | - Nuts and Dried Fruit: It is very common to see a |
| dinner party, your wine tasting will be much more of | | | | selection of dried nuts and/or dried fruit slices as |
| a success if you have fun and delicious foods | | | | wine tasting appetizers, served alone or alongside |
| available for your guests to snack on. While simple | | | | olives or a cheese plate. In fact, many nuts |
| crackers and/or bread may be enough just to | | | | accompany cheeses beautifully and are neutral |
| cleanse your palate between flights of wines, even a | | | | flavored enough to accompany many wines. Spanish |
| small selection of more interesting wine tasting | | | | Marcona almonds and walnuts are great choices, as |
| appetizers can really bring your humble event to a | | | | are dried apricot slices. Try to avoid very sweet |
| whole new level. | | | | fruits, particularly if you are drinking dry table wines. |
| Tip 1: Try to pair your wine tasting appetizers to the | | | | - Cheese Plate: Cheese and wine can be absolutely |
| theme of the wine tasting. In other words, don't pair | | | | delicious. You can provide a selection of fine cheeses |
| heavy sausage stuffed mushrooms if you and your | | | | on a cheese plate, accompanied by knives or forks |
| guests are tasting light, delicate white wines. Try to | | | | for firm cheeses and a spreading knife and bread for |
| pair the food to the wine theme. If you are tasting | | | | softer cheeses. Try to pair the cheese with the |
| several types of wine, then provide a selection of | | | | types of wines you are serving. If you can, find |
| appetizers. | | | | cheeses from the same regions as the wines. Short |
| Tip 2: Don't get too formal. Unless you love to cook, | | | | of that, try to choose more mild flavored cheeses |
| try not to overwhelm yourself with complicated | | | | with lighter wines and richer, more pungent cheeses |
| foods. Start with simple snacks that are easy to | | | | with more full-flavored wines. While very rich, |
| prepare or take no preparation. If you are not | | | | pungent or stinky cheeses can be delicious with rich |
| serving a full dinner, then try to keep it simple. Put | | | | wines, their strong aroma may detract from being |
| out several plates of finger foods and encourage | | | | able to appreciate the subtleties of the wines at the |
| guests to help themselves. | | | | tasting. |
| Some specific wine tasting appetizer ideas: Below is a | | | | - Sliced Cured Sausages and Meats: Dried sausages |
| list of some classic finger food appetizers which are | | | | and other charcuterie can be another easy and |
| perfect for a wine tasting event. They are generally | | | | delicious accompaniment to a wine tasting. There are |
| easy to prepare and can be simply placed on the | | | | dozens to choose from. French saucisson sec, Italian |
| table for guests to help themselves. They are also | | | | salami, Pâté, terrines, Prosciutto, and |
| pretty versatile, pairing well with many types of wine. | | | | many others are all delicious, easy to serve and a |
| Beyond these, get creative. There are no rules so if | | | | fine appetizer to accompany a wine tasting. |
| you have a favorite appetizer that you like to make, | | | | - Bruschetta: Bruschetta is a simple Italian finger food |
| throw that out for your guests to enjoy as well. The | | | | appetizer usually consisting of slices of toasted bread |
| only tip I have about choosing dishes is to avoid very | | | | topped with various chopped accompaniments such |
| spicy foods or odd, pungent flavors which may clash | | | | as tomatoes, shallots, cheese, garlic, and/or olive oil. |
| with many wines. The ideas below start with the | | | | There are many variations but most recipes are quite |
| most simple and easy to prepare and continue | | | | simple and quick to make. To make it a bit richer to |
| through some more involved appetizers that require | | | | accompany heavier red wines, add sautéed |
| a small amount of preparation. | | | | mushrooms or meats such as Prosciutto or bacon to |
| - Bread and/or Crackers: Sliced bread, such as a | | | | kick up the flavor a notch. |
| French Baguette or Batard, and/or simple crackers | | | | - Tapenade: Tapenade is a puréed olive dish |
| are a great basic food to have available at every | | | | usually consisting of olives, herbs, anchovies, garlic |
| wine tasting. Besides being necessary to serve some | | | | and olive oil. Because it is made by blending the |
| soft cheeses or other spreads, they are filling and a | | | | ingredients in a food processor, this spread is quite |
| good neutral snack to cleanse your palate between | | | | easy and quick. It's also delicious! Make a big batch |
| wines. | | | | and serve in a big serving bowl along with bread or |
| - Cured Olives: Most fine supermarkets now carry | | | | crackers to spread it on. |