Hosting a wine tasting gives your guests the chance to evaluate wines side-by-side, and lets you create an event people will remember with fondness.

Like any party, a wine tasting can be casual or sophisticated. Match the gathering to your crowd and you won’t go wrong.

You select and supply the wines, usually no more than six.

“A wine tasting is all about having a good time. Especially in today’s economy, don’t hesitate to ask your guests to bring a bottle or two,” says Bonnie Nolan, an owner of A Taste of Wine in Miamisburg.

Your tasting can be as simple as an arrangement of wines and glasses, and letting people mingle and enjoy the evening.

Or, a formal approach

For a more formal wine tasting, keep your guest list at no more than a dozen people.

A set of glasses is arranged in a semicircle in front of each seated guest, to enjoy what’s known as a tasting “flight.” The glass on each person’s far left is glass No. 1.

“If you’re serving five wines, have three reds and two whites. Start with a lighter, sweeter wine such as a Riesling, then work up to a Cabernet,” recommends Dave Sauer, an owner of Bella Vino Wine Merchant and Bar in Springboro.

Have enough wine for approximately 1 ½ ounces per sample.

Number your wines, writing each number on the label. Or, mask each bottle with a numbered bag for a “blind tasting.”

Pour each wine into the corresponding glasses, and let guests sniff, swirl and taste. Some people swallow; others spit into a disposable cup.

Sometimes guests are given a scorecard to rate a wine. But there is always discussion!

Sampling of all wines can occur before discussion begins, or have people make comments after each glass.

Neil Jones is a member of Amateurs duVin, a club of seven gentlemen from Dayton’s southern suburbs. The club has monthly wine tastings at members’ homes, where they sample everything from $15 to $200 bottles.

“At our events, the host chooses six wines, usually reds, served blind,” Jones reports. “On our score sheets, we rate them for color, aroma, taste and follow-though.”

Area wine merchants are happy to help you make selections. Learn about the wines so you can share information with guests.

Hiring a presenter to serve and discuss wines is a fun and fairly inexpensive idea. For instance, Dave Sauer at Bella Vino makes presentation during wine tastings at the homes of customers. The charge is $65 for a 1-1/2 hour presentation; $75 for two hours.

Food — of course

You can prepare foods to complement each wine, known as “pairings,” such as serving a bit of steak on a small toast with a young cabernet sauvignon.

But mostly, people serve fruit, crackers, cheese or simple hors d’oeuvres throughout the evening.

To clear the palate between tastings, have small cubes of bread or bland crackers available.

Occasionally, wine tastings are catered.

“The hosts can concentrate on serving wines, while we take care of preparing foods that bring out the flavors of each wine,” says Jeff Blumer, owner of Bellyfire Catering in Oakwood.