wine tasting

A candelabra and bowl of grapes in the middle of the table is a classy move. Just forgo the fragrant flowers (so no stargazer lilies) and scented candles so you don't throw off your taste buds.

To prevent any preconceived notions produced by fancy labels, put your bottles in small brown paper bags, then secure with a rubber band at the neck and number them in big black marker on the front.

For a real-deal wine-tasting, keep the food simple and bland — offer baguette slices, oyster crackers, or table water crackers for guests to munch on and cleanse their palates between wines so you really taste each one. After the tasting portion of the evening, serve more substantial apps or dinner, enjoying wines from the tasting with the meal.  Read more