If you are throwing a wine party for New Year’s, remember that guests can often feel overwhelmed, when given too much choice. Ideal Wine Company explains how to create a wine list, so you can subtly provide guests with the information they require to choose the vintage they will most enjoy!
Vital information
There is some basic information that you should include in your wine list, to give guests the chance to recognise some aspect of the vintage they’re familiar with. This includes the wine’s name, product, varietal and production location. But not every guest will be a wine buff, so you may want to explain more complex terms, like terroir, in your wine list notes, so they can make informed decisions.
Consider format
Your wine list needs to be easy for your guests to read, so you should consider its format very carefully, looking at everything from font to text colour. Pay attention to how you categorise your wines, as obscure groupings e.g. by taste profiles, can prove confusing to the uninitiated. Ensure your categories are representative of their contents e.g. group by varietals, so attendees know what they’re drinking.
Short is best
On the subject of formats, you may want to keep your wine list short and sweet, to avoid giving your guests too much choice. We would advise you to stick with five white wines and five red wines, if you want a basic list, or throw in a rose or two, or even a few sparkling wines. A good tip is to only provide a couple of bottle options for each category, you ensure your wine list is easy to navigate.
Include staples
Australian lifestyle site The Shout advises you to include staple wines on your list, to ensure there’s something for everyone. This includes Sauvignon Blancs, Chardonnays and Rieslings for whites and Shiraz’, Merlots and Cabernet Sauvignons for reds, as these styles are all well-known. Order each category by weight, going from light and seasonal to heavy and bold wines, to promote convenience.
Varied locations
Wine lists shouldn’t be boring, so you may want to choose vintages from a variety of locations. It’s advisable to opt for wines produced in a mix of old world e.g. Bordeaux and new world, e.g. California, regions, to capture your guests’ imaginations. You can find wines from top regions all over the world, including Bordeaux, Burgundy, California and Australia on Ideal Wine Company’s website.
