We freaking made it. 2018. We all have our resolutions, some of mine rolled back from last year (drink more water than wine) but we will see if this actually sticks.
One resolution that is sure to be an easy one to follow, is to be more adventurous with wine. The best part about wine is experiencing new wines with friends. Some of my favorite wines are paired with hilarious to sentimental memories with my loved ones!
Thankfully, many of my friends have caught the wine bug with me and we have been throwing some awesome wine related dinner parties. A recent one was a horizontal tasting. What the heck is that?! Your new favorite thing! Hopefully you will stay in a vertical position after these tastings (but no judgement here!)
A horizontal tasting is a great way to taste the offerings of a specific region from each vintage (think Malibu, Santa Barbara, Bordeaux, etc.). Have each of your friends bring a bottle of the same varietal from the same year (2012 Pinot Noir, 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, you get it) and region and then the fun starts! Make sure everyone picks a different winery or producer so we don’t try the same thing twice.
A vertical tasting is tasting one varietal from one producer throughout the course of a few (or more) years. For example, say you try 2010-2015 Semler Cabernet Sauvignon. This is super fun since you can taste the differences in winemaking, and weather. Whether you are a novice or experienced taster, this is the perfect setting to train your brain to pick out the subtle nuances of each wine. Soon, you will be commenting on how 2012 was an exceptional year for Pinot Noir!
Not to be a wine geek, but I recommend everyone have a notepad and pen to jot down their interpretations of each wine. Does Mark smell or taste something completely different than Susan? Does Susan even have the right wine in her glass?! By going around the room and voicing the different profiles of each wine, you can become a better taster over time. Your palate is your own, Susan’s is hers, and so on. By hearing what other people pick up in wine, expands your Rolodex for tasting notes. Women tend to pick up floral notes better than men and men tend to pick up earthy and leather tones more. Learn by drinking? Count me in every night!
Text your friends, grab a few cheeses, and line those glasses up because this is about to be a party to remember!