A Picnic Wine Tasting

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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

Last summer, and a couple of summers in the past, we’ve gone to an amazing fire work summer celebration in Fort Worth at our local Botanical Gardens. It’s stunning.

While this has always been a family event for us, if you’re doing something similar as a date night, or even at home in your backyard with friends, I thought a picnic-style wine tasting could be fun.

A few weeks ago my sister-in-law shared with you how to pair wines with summer meals.

Today I want to talking about some tips and pointers for hosting a wine tasting.

1. Decide on Location

I think an outdoor picnic style party is perfect. It is low key and easy to clean up.

This can be done at your friends house, your house or on location an at awesome summer firework event.

2. Decide on Your Menu

I always see cheeses being used in wine tastings online and in magazines. Let’s branch out a little, but keep it very stress-free and casual.

For a picnic style wine tasting, create a fruit bowl using summer fruits like honeydew, cantaloupe and watermelon.

We really love this pasta dish which pairs perfectly at a wine tasting.

And these fresh veggies are low key and easy to make for a wine tasting.

3. Prepare Wine

Does the wine require chilling in advance? Also, if your tasting event is outside, how will you keep it chilled? Ice buckets? Be prepared.

4. Atmosphere is Important

Outside music, lighting and blankets are pretty easy for a picnic. Run some fun strands of lighting, grab some blankets and your favorite CDs and you’re good to go.

Have you tried any of the Sonoma Cutrer wines? They offer a monthly subscription club that you can be a part of. For the wine tasting we had three flavors of their wines on hand. You can go on a Winery Tour too!

I prefer fruity flavors. This Sauvignon Blanc is a bright and vibrant wine with passion fruit, lime and peach overtones.

My brother and sister-in-law really liked this red @SonomaCutrer Pinot Noir. Alex said she liked the black cherry and dark raspberry taste with a hint of licorice.

Lenny prefers flavors like Chardonnay. This had a golden apple, Bose pear with a touch of butterscotch.

As the wine tasting picnic goes into the night this is such an awesome time to relax in the backyard and enjoy one another’s company.

A summer evening under the stars.

What is your favorite way to host a wine tasting?

Want more wine tasting ideas? Make sure you’re following the Sonoma-Cutrer Facebook page and see other fun wine tasting ideas by following the Sonoma-Cutrer Instagram page too!