Wine Tasting Party

When someone compares the scent of Pinot Noir to cherries, what does that really mean? At an aroma party, guests can make sense of wine lingo by sniffing everything from fruit to seashells to peppercorns alongside the wine varietal with the matching scent.

For a scent-centric wine-tasting party, set out foods—like chocolate, cherries or lychees—that echo wine aromas.

Photo © David Malosh.

Varietal: Merlot

Aroma: Dark chocolate

Wine Party Pick: 2007 Januik Columbia Valley ($25) from Washington state.

Photo © Theo Morrison / David Malosh.

Varietal: Syrah

Aroma: Peppercorns

Party Pick: 2007 Lincourt ($28) from Santa Barbara, CA.

Photo © Theo Morrison / David Malosh.

Varietal: Albariño

Aroma: Seashells

Wine Party Pick: 2008 La Cana ($17) from northern Spain.

Photo © Theo Morrison / David Malosh.

Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc

Aroma: Grapefruit

Wine Party Pick: 2009 Box O'Birds ($17) from New Zealand.

Photo © Theo Morrison / David Malosh.

Varietal: Pinot Noir

Aroma: Cherries

wine Party Pick: 2008 Hartford Court Fog Dance Vineyard ($55) from Sonoma.

Photo © Theo Morrison / David Malosh.