How To Host A Fake Wine Tasting Night: For People Who Just Like Drinking It

You don't need to know anything about wine to host a great tasting night. You just need a few bottles, some foil and a sense of humour.

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The set-up

This fuss-free approach suits group gatherings where the main goal is catching up rather than studying vintages, making it ideal for casual Friday nights. To ensure everyone feels comfortable participating, it is best to establish a few basic rules before your guests arrive. A practical tip is to gather your tasting supplies, such as glasses and paper, in the kitchen ahead of time so you can welcome your friends without any last-minute rush.

• Ask each guest to bring one bottle in a set price range.
• Wrap every bottle in foil and number it.
• Give everyone a scorecard and a pen.

The blind tasting game

Perfect for close friends who appreciate a bit of friendly competition, this activity works brilliantly as an after-dinner icebreaker. It keeps the atmosphere lively and gets everyone talking, even those who usually claim they cannot tell different varieties apart. As a helpful tip, try to keep the tasting order a complete secret, which prevents anyone from getting clues by watching you open the bottles.

• Pour small measures — about a third of a glass.
• Score each wine out of 10 and guess the price.
• Sneak in one cheap supermarket bottle and see who spots it.

The penalty

This playful twist suits light-hearted groups who do not take themselves too seriously and is best introduced just as the main tasting draws to a close. It adds a lovely element of suspense to the end of the evening and ensures plenty of laughter. For the best results, keep the mood entirely light and friendly, making sure your guests know that any forfeit is just for fun.

• Whoever rates the cheapest bottle highest drinks the next round from an upside down wine glass.
• Or they host the next one.

Snacks that help

Designed for hungry guests who want to keep their palates fresh, this simple catering plan is ideal to set out right at the start of your evening. Having the right bites on hand keeps everyone comfortable and helps pace the drinking throughout the night. A useful tip is to prepare all your serving platters earlier in the afternoon so you can focus entirely on hosting when your visitors walk through the door.

• Plain crackers and bread between wines.
• A cheese board.
• Plenty of water, and food before you start.

Key things to remember

• Taste whites before reds.
• Arrange lifts or taxis home.

Frequently asked questions

How many wines should you taste at a party?

Five or six is plenty for a relaxed evening.

How much wine per person for a tasting?

Around 50–75ml per wine, so one bottle serves 10–12 tastes.

What is a good example of how to host a wine tasting party at home?

"Ask each guest to bring one bottle in a set price range." is one of 11 examples on this page. Pick the one closest to the tone you want, then add a specific detail of your own - a shared memory, a date, a name - so it reads as yours rather than copied.

Can I copy these messages word for word?

Yes. Everything on this page is free to copy, print and read out - no permission or credit needed. Changing one detail so it fits the person is all we would suggest.

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