Unwind with Friends at a Virtual Wine Tasting Happy Hour

Decompress with a Virtual Wine Tasting

After a stressful day of back-to-back Zoom meetings at our makeshift home offices, it’s understandable to feel drained. Let’s face it – remote work can take its toll, even for the biggest extroverts among us. When cabin fever sets in, it’s time to log off and unwind. We could all use a little self-care right about now.

If your regular happy hour crew can’t meet at the usual watering hole, bring the fun online instead. A virtual wine tasting invites connection, even from a social distance. This could be just the antidote we need for the isolation blues.

How to Host a Virtual Wine Tasting

A virtual wine tasting allows us to come together and celebrate life’s simple pleasures. Follow these tips to lift your spirits:

Choose a theme – Italian reds or biodynamic whites work nicely.
Select 3-5 reasonably priced wines readily available in your area.
Set a date/time and invite friends via Zoom or Skype.
Encourage guests to have tasting sheets on hand to record flavors.
Take turns describing aroma and taste profiles bottle by bottle.
Share your favorite food pairings as you sample side by side.

Making Connections from Afar

Though physically apart, a virtual happy hour allows us to come together. Here are some ideas to foster meaningful connections during your online gathering:

Share when, where and with whom you last enjoyed each wine selection in person. Reminisce.
Ask thoughtful questions that bring out stories: What drew you to this wine? When did you discover your love of Barolo?
Discuss the vision, values or history behind each wine or vineyard.
Debate organic vs. biodynamic practices and the implications of natural winemaking.

Self-Care While Social Distancing

In troubled times like these, self-care matters more than ever. A virtual wine tasting allows us to nourish our bodies and our connections. Be sure to:

Check in about how everyone is holding up and what would help them feel supported right now.
Infuse your virtual gathering with lighthearted laughter – share a funny meme or story.
Lift your glasses in a heartfelt, hopeful toast – to health, family, friendship and new beginnings.

Stay centered in this moment together, even across the miles. Allow the wine, conversation and camaraderie to unwind your worries, at least for now. The rest can wait.

FAQ

What wines should I buy for an online tasting?

Select 3-5 affordable, food-friendly wines readily available in your area, like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Malbec or Chianti. Choose a theme, like Italian varietals, biodynamic wines or Pacific Northwest blends.

How much wine should guests buy?

For a 1-1.5 hour virtual tasting with 3-5 wines, buy one bottle of each selection. Offer guests info on local wine shops and pricing.

Should we use fancy stemware?

By all means, bring out the Riedel glasses to elevate the experience! But drinking from a juice glass or mug works perfectly fine too.

What tech tools can make an online tasting special?

Create a playlist of songs or artists that pair nicely with your wine selections to set the mood. Display tasting notes digitally or sketch them on a sheet of paper to hold up to your webcam.

How long should our virtual gathering last?

A reasonable duration is 1-1.5 hours of guided tasting with extra time before and after for mingling. But stay connected for as long as you’re enjoying the conversation!