I am the Event Coordinator for my Local Miata Club (Little two seater convertible, in case some of you don't know what a Miata is). Our group is partial to wine drinking, most of us are what I would consider novices, but we enjoy visiting wineries when we can find them (we live in Charleston, SC) and having wine at dinners and other functions. I have heard a lot about people having Wine & Cheese Parties and I have decided to have one myself. Now, I am absolutely a novice, although I've tasted a few wines, I prefer a beer or Wine Cooler to just about all the Wine I've tried thus far. However, I still try new ones when I get the chance, I'm sure there's a few out there I would like. So, on to the party. Here's what I want to do: I am inviting everyone to my home, to have sort of a Wine Judging contest. I'm asking that all members bring a bottle or however many they want, under $20, completely wrapped in brown paper bags so no one can see what they are. Then I will number the bags, and each person will get to taste all the wines and judge them. Now, I would like to hand out some sort of a paper ballot system, with things like taste, smell, and those other categories wine should be judged in, maybe 3-4 of the top categories is all I want. I don't want this to be too cumbersome, it's for fun, and it's to let people taste a bunch of different wines without spending hundreds of dollars to do so. I'll have small sip cups that people will taste in, then if there is wine left, people can have a glass if they like one. What I need to know is has anyone done this and if so, what are your suggestions on running this "contest'? The winner will probably get a nice bottle of wine, there will be eats, such as a cheese platter (any suggestions on a good "all around" cheese platter would be great too - something else I am not familiar with), nuts and fruits, probably some dessert items, such as cheesecake rounds, etc. I'm just looking for help to finalize and round out my party so that everyone enjoys it. There will be coffee, soft drinks and water for anyone who doesn't want to participate as well, so I think I have the whole gamut covered. My main concern is the judging and how to go about it, such as the ballot, etc and then any help on a good setup for a cheese platter would be helpful too. Thanks in advance, I look forward to any and all replies!
- posted
19 years ago