1. select your wines

LEVEL 1: Hosting a regular Tasting: Pick 4-6 wines that have some contrast to taste. Maybe all one varietal, different vineyards. Or all wines from different AVAs. With Dobbes, you have the ability to choose a wide variety representing the best of Oregon.

LEVEL 2: Hosting a Vertical Tasting: Choose a wine you want to showcase and aim for 4-6 vintages.

LEVEL 3: Hosting a Blind Tasting: Choose a wine you want to showcase maybe it is all the same vintage or all one varietal. You can also do a Vertical Tasting blind and see if you can pick up the changes in each year.

2. gather and prep your supplies

• Wine glasses: Make sure you have enough glasses for each participant to have one glass per wine, so they can compare without rushing to finish a glass.
• Tasting sheets and pens: Provide sheets for taking notes (like the ones provided).
• Organize your wines: Typically you’ll start with the oldest vintage and work your way to the youngest.
• Label or number the bottles: Consider hiding the vintages or number the bottles to avoid bias.

3. guide the tasting

• Vertical Tasting: Provide context about the wine’s vintage, including information on the growing season, vineyard, and any other unique factors.
• Blind Tasting: You can share some basic information if you like—maybe they are all from the same vintage or one type of varietal.
• Tasting Method: Walk through the process.
• Sight: Observe the color, opacity, and viscosity
• Smell: Swirl the wine to release the aromas, and then identify the scents.
• Taste: Take small sips, and notice the wine’s body. acidity, tannins, flavors. Are there prominent flavors versus more secondary notes?
• Finish: Note how long the flavor lingers and what flavors remain.

4. wrap up

• If doing a Blind Tasting, reveal the wine: Show the label of each wine one by one. Discuss overall impressions and take note of everyone’s favorite and why. Was there a winning vintage? Encourage participants to
• Revisit the wines and see if they have evolved throughout the tasting.

5. keep it fun

• While tastings are educational, be sure to find the fun! Let everyone’s curiosity and natural
• preferences drive the conversation. To add to the experience consider small bites that
• compliment the food; charcuterie is always a great option. Or host dinner after the tasting, it doesn’t have to be fancy! Just be sure to have fun, enjoy the wine, and each other’s company.