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When the days get shorter and the nights get colder, I crave gatherings that bring warmth, joy, and connection. Some people dive into cookie swaps or big holiday dinners, but my favorite tradition is hosting a Winter Wine Tasting Party. And let me tell you, adding a clever theme takes it from “just a night with wine” to “a night people still talk about months later.”
Over the years, I’ve tried different setups, from laid-back evenings with three friends to full-blown gatherings with 15 people. I’ve learned that you don’t need to be a sommelier, have fancy glassware, or even a massive budget. What you do need is creativity, a little planning, and the right Winter Wine Tasting Party Themes to tie it all together.
Below are seven themes that I’ve personally hosted or attended, each one bringing its own kind of magic. I’ll share how I set them up, the wines and bites that worked, and the little details that made them memorable.
Table of Contents
What Is a Wine Tasting Party?
Before I started hosting them myself, I thought wine tastings were something only sommeliers did at fancy vineyards. A wine tasting party is simply gathering friends to enjoy, compare, and learn about different wines together, with a bit of relaxed and fun structure to guide the evening.
At its core, a wine tasting party is about:
- Exploring new varietals, regions, or styles of wine.
- Comparing flavors, aromas, and textures side by side.
- Pairing wines with food to see how they change in flavor.
- Sharing laughs, stories, and maybe a little wine knowledge along the way.
I usually set it up like this: each guest gets a small pour (2–3 ounces) of each wine, a tasting card or notebook, and something to cleanse the palate (wine tasting crackers, plain crackers or bread works wonders). We sip, we talk, and sometimes we even debate: “Does this taste more like apple or pear to you?” Spoiler: there’s no wrong answer, and that’s what makes it fun.
Wine tasting parties don’t have to be serious or intimidating. You don’t need to know all the terminology or swirl your glass like you’re auditioning for a wine commercial. If you can pick up on whether a wine feels light or heavy, sweet or dry, fruity or earthy, you’re already tasting like a pro.
Think of it as the adult version of a game night, only instead of cards or trivia, the star of the evening is what’s in your glass.
8 Winter Wine Tasting Themes:
1. Winter Wine-derland
The first time I threw a “Winter Wine-derland” party, I raided my holiday storage bin and went all out, string lights, frosted pinecones, fake snow sprinkled down the center of the table, and even white candles in mason jars with glitter and pine needles. The whole space looked like something out of a Hallmark movie.
But here’s the best part: the wine lineup matched the frosty vibe. I leaned heavily into whites and sparkling wines, and my friends loved the consistency.
Some of my favorite pairings:
- A crisp Sauvignon Blanc with tangy goat cheese crostini.
- A lightly oaked Chardonnay with roasted winter squash and herbs.
- A dry Prosecco with smoked salmon bites.
I also served mulled wine on the side for my red-wine-loving guests. It was warm, spicy, and made the house smell incredible.
Hosting tip: I used clear Christmas ornaments and wrote tasting notes on them with metallic markers. I hung each ornament on the bottle. Guests could read the hints, and then compare what they tasted. It turned into a game, people loved debating whether they actually tasted “notes of pear” or if I was just making it up.
2. Ugly Sweater Tasting
If you’ve never hosted an Ugly Sweater Tasting, you need to. It’s chaos, comedy, and cozy vibes all rolled into one. Everyone shows up in their most outrageous holiday sweater, and I hand out little prizes for categories like:
- Most Festive
- Most Ridiculous
- Most Likely Knitted in 1985
One year, my friend wore a sweater that had battery-powered lights stitched into it. Another guest came with a 3D reindeer popping off the front. Or a wine themed holiday sweater always fits the theme too! The photos were priceless.
The wine pairings here are all about comfort. Think wines that remind you of being snowed in on a Saturday evening:
- Zinfandel with mini meatball sliders.
- Pinot Noir with baked mac and cheese bites.
- Cabernet Sauvignon with loaded potato skins.
By the end of the night, we were all laughing so hard that the “wine tasting” part was just a bonus.
Hosting tip: I put out voting cards so everyone could vote on sweater categories anonymously. The suspense of the reveal added even more fun.
3. Christmas Around the World
This theme has become one of my go-tos because it’s both educational and delicious. I call it “Christmas Around the World.” Each wine is from a different country, and I pair it with a holiday bite from that culture.
Here’s an example lineup I did one year:
- Italy: Chianti with panettone (yes, that sweet bread you see everywhere in December, it pairs surprisingly well with red wine).
- France: Champagne with gougères (cheese puffs, don’t worry, I bought them frozen from a bakery).
- Germany: Riesling with Lebkuchen (spiced gingerbread-style cookies).
- Spain: Tempranillo with Manchego cheese and quince paste.
I set each station with a little flag, a short fun fact about the country’s holiday traditions, and the wine/food pairing. Guests loved hopping from station to station.
One couple brought their own contribution, Swedish glögg (mulled wine). We heated it up on the stove and served it in little mugs. It wasn’t planned, but it became one of the highlights of the night.
Hosting tip: Keep the bites small and simple. A cheese, a cookie, or a pastry is enough. You don’t need a full meal for each country, it’s about the experience, not perfection.
4. New Year’s Eve Bubbles Party
This theme is an instant crowd-pleaser. A New Year’s Eve Bubbles Party means one thing: sparkling wines only. No reds, no whites, just the fizzy stuff.
I usually line up:
- Champagne (the real deal from France)
- Prosecco (light and easy-drinking)
- Cava (a Spanish sparkling that’s super budget-friendly)
- Sparkling Rosé (because it looks festive in the glass)
Food-wise, I always go salty. Trust me, sparkling wine loves salt. Some of my tried-and-true pairings:
- Potato chips topped with crème fraîche and caviar.
- Truffle popcorn.
- Marinated olives and marcona almonds
One year, we set a countdown clock and opened a new bottle every 30 minutes, saving the Champagne for midnight. By the time the ball dropped, everyone was cheering, clinking glasses, and snacking on leftover chips. It felt indulgent and celebratory without being stuffy.
Hosting tip: Add a “sparkling wine blind tasting” twist. Cover each bottle in foil and have guests guess which is Champagne, Prosecco, or Cava. The results are usually hilarious.
5. Holiday Dessert Wine Night
If December was a flavor, it would be sweet. That’s why I love hosting a Holiday Dessert Wine Night. Dessert wines don’t get enough love, and they’re actually the perfect way to cap off a holiday evening.
My go-to lineup:
- Port (rich and velvety).
- Ice Wine (rare, pricey, but oh-so-special).
- Moscato d’Asti (lightly sparkling and sweet).
- Late Harvest Riesling (nectar-like).
For food pairings, I go heavy on holiday classics:
- Peppermint bark.
- Gingerbread men.
- Sugar cookies.
- Blue cheese with honey (seriously, try this with Port).
One year, I made a dessert platter with mini tiramisu cups, almond biscotti, and chocolate truffles. It was so over-the-top that people were sneaking leftovers into napkins to take home.
Hosting tip: Keep the pours even smaller than usual. Dessert wines are rich and high in sugar, so 1 oz is plenty for each tasting.
6. Secret Santa Pairing
The Secret Santa Pairing is hands-down one of the most fun and interactive parties I’ve hosted. Here’s how it works:
- Set a budget (like $20).
- Ask each guest to bring a wrapped bottle of wine.
- Place all the bottles under the tree.
- Pick one to unwrap, one at a time, taste, and vote for favorites.
One year, a $12 Malbec ended up beating out a $40 Napa Cab. People couldn’t stop laughing at how “fancy labels” fooled us all.
Sometimes I add a small gift exchange too, so each bottle comes with a little extra. One guest brought a wine wrapped with a cheese board set, which became the prize for “Best Bottle.”
Hosting tip: Have a prize ready for the winner, something simple like a wine stopper, holiday candle, or even a silly trophy you pass around year to year.
7. Fireside Reds Night
Not every winter wine party needs glitz and glitter. Sometimes the best evenings are the ones where you’re curled up by the fire with rich red wines, hearty bites, and your closest friends. That’s where the Fireside Reds Night theme comes in.
The vibe is simple: low lighting, candles, maybe even a crackling fireplace (or a fireplace video on YouTube if you don’t have one). Everyone settles in with cozy blankets, and the lineup is focused on bold, warming red wines.
Some of my favorite picks:
- Cabernet Sauvignon (pairs perfectly with sharp cheddar).
- Syrah/Shiraz (amazing with charcuterie or spiced lamb skewers).
- Malbec (so good with smoky, grilled flavors, even roasted mushrooms).
- Merlot (soft, velvety, and perfect for sipping by itself).
Food-wise, I love leaning into rich comfort foods for this theme:
- Mini beef Wellington bites.
- Mushroom crostini.
- Dark chocolate squares.
One year, I hosted this theme during a snowstorm. Only six people made it over, but it turned out to be one of the most intimate and relaxing parties I’ve ever had. We spent more time talking than “tasting,” and everyone left feeling full, cozy, and content.
Hosting tip: Print out simple tasting cards with prompts like “Best for sipping alone,” “Best with food,” and “Best by the fire.” It makes the night feel more intentional while keeping it relaxed.
8. Holiday Movie & Wine Pairing Night
This one might be the coziest theme of all. Instead of just focusing on wine, you pair each bottle with a holiday movie. Guests sip, snack, and laugh while you screen classics in the background (or just play them on mute for ambiance).
Here’s an example lineup I hosted last December:
- “Elf” + Sparkling Moscato – Sweet, bubbly, and fun, just like Buddy the Elf. Paired with candy canes and syrup-drizzled popcorn (yes, really).
- “The Holiday” + Pinot Noir – Smooth and romantic, perfect with charcuterie and soft brie.
- “Home Alone” + Cabernet Sauvignon – Bold and dramatic, paired with classic Chicago-style deep-dish pizza bites.
- “It’s a Wonderful Life” + Port – Rich, nostalgic, and comforting with a slice of chocolate cake.
The fun of this theme is how flexible it is, you can go all in with matching décor (think movie posters and themed snacks), or you can keep it casual with a streaming queue and comfy pajamas. Fun to put up a mini projector to play the movies on a sheet or white wall.
Hosting tip: Ask each guest to bring their favorite holiday movie snack and match it with one of the wines you provide. It keeps things simple for you as the host and adds a personal twist.
Tips for Hosting a Wine Tasting Party
No matter which winter theme you go with, a few smart hosting strategies can make the whole night smoother and more enjoyable. Over the years of hosting these parties, I’ve collected a handful of go-to tips that always save the day:
- Plan for the right amount of wine.
Stick to 4–6 bottles for a party. Any more and your guests will get palate fatigue. Remember, tastings are about sipping, not full pours. - Use the right glassware (but don’t stress).
Ideally, everyone should have a fresh glass for each wine, but let’s be real, that’s not always practical. Rinse glasses between pours or keep a “dump bucket” handy for people to clear leftovers. - Set the pace.
Tastings can drag if you don’t keep them moving. I usually plan for 15–20 minutes per wine, with a break halfway for snacks and mingling. - Keep tasting notes casual.
Hand out scorecards, but frame them as fun, not formal. Prompts like “Most likely to impress your in-laws” or “Best wine to sip in pajamas” keep things light. - Water, water, water.
I cannot emphasize this enough. Set water pitchers on the table, and encourage everyone to hydrate between pours. Your friends will thank you the next morning. - Make it festive.
Lighting, music, and décor set the tone. Whether it’s fairy lights for Winter Wine-derland or a roaring fireplace for Fireside Reds, the vibe matters just as much as the wine. - Have a big reveal moment.
Whether it’s a blind tasting, a vote for “Best Bottle,” or just the last toast of the night, end with a moment everyone remembers. - Have plenty of food.
Wine without food is a recipe for headaches. Keep it simple with cheeses, crackers, charcuterie, and a few themed bites. Bonus points if the food ties into your party theme.
Hosting takeaway: Wine tasting isn’t about being serious or “getting it right.” It’s about creating memories. The more relaxed you make the atmosphere, the more fun your guests will have.
Blind Wine Tasting Kits for an Easy Winter Wine Tasting Setup
One of my favorite ways to simplify hosting is using a Blind Wine Tasting Kit. Instead of scrambling for wine tags and handwritten notes, the kit comes with everything you need- bottle tags, tasting cards, wine games, and even wine charms. I love that some kits on Etsy even include festive touches like holiday-themed wine charms. They instantly dress up the glasses and double as a cute favor for guests to take home.
I’ve used these kits for both small get-togethers and bigger holiday parties, and they always spark conversation. People get so into comparing notes and making guesses. And honestly, the big reveal at the end never gets old. The best part? You don’t need to be a wine expert. The kit guides everyone through the process so it feels fun, not intimidating. It turns the whole thing into a game, and it takes the pressure off trying to sound like a sommelier.
Try Out These Winter Wine Tasting Themes
What I’ve learned is that these winter wine tasting parties aren’t really about the wine. They’re about the sweater with lights stitched in, the Riesling and cookies that surprised everyone, the $12 Malbec that won the night. They’re about laughter, connection, and slowing down in the middle of a busy season. Wine is just the vehicle that gets everyone talking, sipping, and savoring the moment.
So tell me, are you more of a bubbles-on-New-Year’s kind of host, or are you tempted by the Ugly Sweater chaos? Either way, pick a theme, pour some wine, and watch the memories unfold.
Cheers,
Bri & Cat
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