How to Host a Virtual Wine Tasting With Celeb-Favorite Wines

A winemaker shares his perfect lineup.

By Amanda Williams, Carolin Lehmann May 25, 2020 5:00 PMTags
E-Comm: How to Host a Virtual Wine Tasting With Celeb-Favorite Wines, Kourtney Kardashian, Karlie Kloss, Shay MitchellGetty Images; Shutterstock; E! Illustration

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If you've been connecting with friends and family via video chat, consider this idea for your next get-together: a virtual wine tasting. Not only will this activity get conversations flowing, but it will also help everyone find new wines they love. Personalized wine club Winc winemaker Robert Daugherty has the perfect wine lineup for you below, and everyone in the group can conveniently have them delivered to their homes via the service.

But first, allow Daugherty to run you through setting up your virtual wine tasting:

1. "Decide on a lineup of wines ahead of time, so that you can taste along together. I'd recommend tasting no more than four wines at once. You can also set a theme for the tasting, whether it's unique varieties you've never tried before, natural wines, or wines from a particular region or country. This will also help inform light bites and food pairings to go with each."

2. "Assign a host. This person can help lead the discussion and have information on each of the wines readily available. An understanding of where the wine came from, the winemaker who crafted it and context surrounding the wine's history and narrative makes the tasting more meaningful, informative and engaging."

3. "Don't take it too seriously! Have each person talk about what they are noticing and tasting. Flavors, color, viscosity, etc. Adding a trivia element or making it into a drinking game is always a great idea, too. Have fun with it!"

4. "Decide which one you personally like best. Then fill up your glass and enjoy."

Daugherty suggests that you always start with sparkling wines and rosés first, followed by white wines and lighter reds next and full-bodied red wines last.

Check out the wines Daugherty recommends for your tasting below, some of which have a celebrity fan-base.

2018 Finke's Sparkling Chardonnay

Daugherty suggests starting with sparkling wines like this fruity, dry option.

2019 Summer Water Rosé

Kourtney Kardashian loves the Summer Water rosé. "This light and dry rosé pairs well with some of your favorite brunch dishes and summer-friendly fare including: eggs benedict, ricotta toast, quiche, oysters, crab cakes, ceviche, sushi, melon and prosciutto salad, grilled veggies and french fries," Daugherty tells E!.

2019 Pacificana Chardonnay

 The Pacificana chardonnay is dry and fruity with notes of apple, butterscotch, honeysuckle and lemon rind.

2019 Cherries & Rainbows Red Wine

How fun is the packaging of this wine? It's dry with notes of dark fruits.

2018 Lost Poet Red Blend

We hear Karlie Kloss, Shay Mitchell and Ashley Graham love the Lost Poet red blend. "I love to pair this jammy red blend with my favorite comfort foods like: burgers, macaroni and cheese, pasta with cream sauce, chocolate cake, chili, BBQ Pork Ribs, stuffed portobello mushrooms, cured meats and fondue," Daugherty says. 

2016 Baseline Pinot Noir

This barrel-aged dry wine has notes of allspice, black cherry and white pepper.

2017 Porter & Plot Cabernet Sauvignon

Enjoy notes of plum, red cherry and rosemary in this dry wine.

You can also check out these mimosa essentials plus these saucey gifts for the tequila lover.

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