Making your Holiday Cocktail Party Pop!

At this point in my wine career I’ve organized and been to more than my fair share of wine tastings.  I’ve even surveyed readers to find out what kind of events they like and the common answer is that they want to be surprised.
So, today, as you are planning your holiday parties, I want to surprise you by not suggesting a wine tasting.  Instead I have a few other ideas to titillate you and your guests.  Don’t be daunted by the titles – they are all easy to plan and manageable even by us wine 101ers.
The Vodka Tasting
(Try and purchase small fifth-sized bottles)
Some purists believe that if your vodka isn’t Polish or Russian, or made from grain (rye) or potatoes, it’s not vodka.  It is also a belief that vodka shouldn’t be turned into a cocktail, it can stand alone in a 100 percent vodka martini or a shot.  With that in your noggin try side-by-side taste tests of what you and your guests think is better.  Vodka is a clear, tasteless spirit though, right?  When tasted against each other you will find some are harsher while others have delicate qualities, taste further and you might find flavors and aromas you had missed before.
The Cold Sake Tasting
Don’t scratch this one off your list too fast!  The world of cold sake is so much more vibrant, flavorful, and even creamy – as opposed to hot sakes – and most sushi bars serve both.  You will need one that the sake rice is milled with about 70 percent of the rice remaining (Junmai style will be listed on the label) and one with 50 percent rice remaining (Junmai Daiginjo style).  The more of the rice that is milled away signifies a higher quality.  Then select one that looks white (unfiltered Nigori style), one that has an orange or yellow tinge signifying citrus flavor enhancers, and finally, a sparkling or one made with distilled alcohol.
The Single Malt Scotch Tasting
Choose from the Lowlands of Scotland (soft and light: Auchentoshan), the Highlands (more general flavors including some smoke: Macallan), the Speyside region of the Highlands (fruitier: Balvenie, my go-to Scotch), Islay (the very peaty: Laphroig) and lastly, the Islands (salty: Talisker). The regions are shown on the bottles.  Try a little then try it again with a small splash of water.  The aromas in a Single Malt Scotch, unlike wine, will open up with a little water or a single ice cube.
Final Notes
In tasting scotch or vodka, keep in mind the higher alcohol levels.  Use small tasting glasses, no plastic please.  And always provide a pour out bucket for your guests.  If you want to really get into it, get a map and a guidebook of the areas you are covering.  Then your tasting can also include a virtual trip!  Want more?  Grab some paper and pens and prompt your guests to swirl and then make notes on aroma and taste.  I did not mention food pairings as these tastings would all work well after a nice dinner.  But, if you need some help, I’m only an email away: eve@evewine101.com“