You don’t have to be a wine expert to host a wine tasting party. These ideas from Jacques Scott Wines & Spirits can help you and your guests enjoy the fun of wine tasting and learn something new along the way.
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.
Visit our convenient liquor stores in George Town, West Bay, Seven Mile Beach, Savannah and East End, or order everything you need online, including mixers and soft drinks, and have them delivered FREE to your home, office, yacht, vacation villa, resort hotel, or anywhere else on Grand Cayman.
Choose a Theme
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).
Blind Tastings
Blind tastings can be lots of fun! The wine labels are hidden (tip: use wine bags or wrap the entire bottle in aluminum foil), and guests try to identify the grape and country of origin based on the appearance, aroma, and taste of the wine.
White wine recommendations:
- Sauvignon Blanc –Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand)
- Chardonnay – Au Contraire Chardonnay (California)
- Riesling – Prum Essence Riesling (Germany)
- Moscato – Cavit Moscato (Italy)
- Pinot Grigio – Yellow Tail Pinot Grigio (Australia)
Red wine recommendations:
- Pinot Noir – Elouan Pinot Noir (Oregon)
- Malbec – Layer Cake Malbec (Argentina)
- Merlot –Rickety Bridge Merlot (South Africa)
- Cabernet Sauvignon –Heritance Rutherford Cabernet (California)
- Shiraz/Syrah –Jacob’s Creek Shiraz (Australia)
Number each bottle of wine, provide short descriptions of the qualities and flavors associated with the different wines to guide guests in the right direction, and give them pen and paper to take notes. At the end of the tasting, reveal all the answers and see who has correctly identified the most wines.
When you’re ready to host a wine tasting party, Jacques Scott Wines & Spirits can provide more fun ideas and all of the supplies. Visit one of our convenient liquor stores in Grand Cayman, or order online for free delivery.
