Thinking about hosting a wine tasting party in the Cayman Islands? Here are some tips from the knowledgeable experts at Jacques Scott Wines & Spirits that will help you pull off an enjoyable and educational event!
Jacques Scott Wines & Spirits has the best prices and the finest selection of wines, beers and liquor in the Caribbean. We are the exclusive distributor for many top-selling premium brands, as well as super-premium collector’s items and unique products of the Cayman Islands.
We will be delighted to help you discover delicious wines from Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile, Spain, Portugal and South Africa, as well as the finest French, Italian and American wines and champagnes that will make your tasting party a huge success.
Decide on a Theme
Most wine tastings feature four to eight different wines with a common theme to tie them together.
Regional Wines
For this type of pairing, focus on wines from one specific wine region to give your guests an idea of what the region has to offer. For example, choose four top wines from California’s Napa Valley, the most prestigious wine region in the New World.
The knowledgeable staff at Jacques Scott Wines & Spirits recommends Chimney Rock Cabernet Sauvignon; Cakebread Cellars Merlot; Chateau Montelena Chardonnay; and Grgich Hills Estate Fume Blanc.
Grape Varietals
To educate yourself and your party guests, choose a single variety of grape, for example Cabernet Sauvignon, and select wines from around the world to taste the differences in their flavors and characteristics.
Jacques Scott Wines & Spirits suggests Catena ‘Alamos’ Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza, Argentina); ZD Wines Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley, California); Santa Rita Casa Real Cabernet Sauvignon (Maipo Valley, Chile); and Yellow Tail Cabernet Sauvignon (Southeastern Australia).
Appetizers
Food isn’t mandatory for a wine tasting, but you probably will want to have some appetizers and light snacks on hand so your guests are drinking all evening on an empty stomach. Avoid anything flavored or overly salty—the point is to refresh the palate for each new wine.
Wine Tasting Glassware
In addition to wine and food, you’ll need some glassware for your party. If it’s not practical (or too expensive) to supply each guest with a new glass for each wine, let them use one glass throughout the tasting, but be sure they dump out any extra wine and quickly rinse with water before moving on to the next wine.
Use glasses that are perfectly clear (so you can see the wine), have a stem (so your guests don’t warm up the wine with their fingers), and have a bowl that’s deep enough to swirl the wine a little.
Buy the Right Amount of Wine
The number of bottles to buy will depend on how many people you invite and how many wines you want to sample, but the general rule of thumb is two ounces of each wine per person. For a party of eight to ten guests, one standard bottle of each selection will provide enough wine for the tasting plus a little extra.
Visit our convenient liquor stores in George Town, West Bay, Seven Mile Beach, Savannah and East End to buy wine and get more suggestions about how to host your wine tasting party in the Cayman Islands.
