Since the start of the year I’ve actually got a job! I’m running the UK side of things for 20h33, a Bordeaux specialist. We’re doing the importing and selling wines privately, and all kinds of other things like vineyards tours (#1 in Bordeaux I thank you!). I’m also starting to do lots of wine tasting nights. Once I got over the shock of the first one, I’m loving doing them now!
You’re a bit stuck to start with. You don’t really know what to say. You don’t know how much people should be drinking. You don’t really know how long it’s meant to go on for. What kind of food do you sort out? Where do you do it? These all sound pretty straight forward but until you’ve done it, you’re a bit up in the air about it.
First night I did I got a couple of things wrong. I was so nervous about boring people senseless that I didn’t actually explain the wines enough. I basically just popped the open bottles on the table, said “this is red wine, enjoy!” Ok it was a bit more than that, but still, not exactly value added!!
Also timing was an issue. If someone’s enjoying a glass of wine, I’m the last person to give them the hurry up. But then maybe 4 hours for 6 wines was taking the mick a bit, whether they’re enjoying themselves or not!
Since then I’ve been tweaking it nicely I think. Now it’s just a great laugh with lots of new faces enjoying the wines. I’m going to enjoy this bit!
Cheers
Mike
I’ve only hosted tastings for fun, but I agree there’s lots to learn. And then it gets more fun to host them. One of my lessons: Don’t go too big on the numbers of items to taste.
Absolutely agree, top it at 6 at most!
Sounds great!! I’ve run a couple myself and I love sharing facts that get the “ooooo, I didn’t know that moment” – enjoy and good luck!
thanks so much, we’ll have to swap notes one day! 🙂
Great job congrats, sounds like planning a tasting event would be fun.
It’s getting better each time!
Haha! Nicely written! Cheers! 🙂
Ah thanks so much
Fair play to you. Say the first was nerve – wracking alright. Glad you enjoying it now. Best of luck.
Thanks so much, yeah it;s going to be fun from here on in
What fun! Maybe serve smaller samples to hurry the sippers up? I love trying different wines and we have a group of friends that always do a great job.
Oooo I don’t know, you ever tried to short change a Brit with a glass of wine???
Ha! That made me laugh. I might have the same response.