Whether you’re already a cultivated connoisseur or just a budding bottle enthusiast, prepare to tap into the vine-drenched depths of grape-stained enlightenment. Here are some additional ideas to keep things plenty fun amidst all the swirling, sniffing, and sipping!
Grape Expectations
- Taste Maker: Make sure to check around to see which wineries or tasting rooms offer what, you may be surprised by the number of wineries that offer free tastings with a bottle purchase.
- Guided Learning: Find a short online video about the basic principles of wine tasting that you can watch together.
- Aroma Exploration Kits: Purchase a small kit to heighten your sense of smell and try to identify different wine-related aromas.
Extend The Indulgence
- Wine-Inspired Cuisine: Prepare a dinner incorporating wine into your recipe for a seamless flavor experience. Look for recipes tailored to the wine you’ve chosen. Not looking to make a whole dinner? Plan a romantic date at a restaurant, many let you bring your own wine and only charge a small “corkage fee”. Wine also pairs delightfully with most takeout!
- Movie Pairing: Select a movie with vineyards or wine production as its backdrop (“Sideways”, “Bottle Shock”, “A Walk in the Clouds.”)
- Plan a Getaway: If you’re truly smitten with wine, plan a future weekend trip to a nearby wine region to delve further into your shared interest.
