What you need for a champagne tasting

A champagne tasting needs more than bottles and champagne flutes. You will need enough water, ice, snacks, serving equipment and tableware to keep the tasting comfortable from the first pour to the last note. Plan one tasting glass per guest, plus spares, and chill every bottle before guests arrive. This checklist also covers the items people often remember too late, such as name badges, tasting cards, coat hangers and waste bins.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

High tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 45
Coat rack
Coat hangersqty 50

Tableware

Champagne glassesqty 60
Water glassesqty 50
Coffee cupsqty 45
Platesqty 60
Dessert platesqty 50
Cutlery setsqty 60
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 6
Corkscrewsqty 4

Equipment

Coolersqty 6
Ice containersqty 6
Kettlesqty 2
Coffee machinesqty 2
Wireless speaker
Power stripsqty 3

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 2
Cooling carafeqty 4

Decorations

Table runnersqty 6
Name card holdersqty 45
Flower arrangementsqty 6
Menusqty 6

Lighting

String lightsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Champagne brut - 12 bottles
- Rosé champagne - 6 bottles
- Champagne blanc de blancs - 6 bottles
- Champagne blanc de noirs - 6 bottles
- Alcohol-free sparkling wine - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 24 bottles
- Spa Rood - 12 bottles
- Tonic water - 12 cans
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 liter
- Orange juice - 4 liters
- Coffee beans - 2 kilograms
- Black tea - 1 box
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Honey - 1 jar
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Sourdough bread - 6 loaves
- Unsalted butter - 1 kilogram
- Brie - 2 kilograms
- Goat cheese - 1,5 kilogram
- Blue cheese - 1 kilogram
- Parmesan cheese - 1 kilogram
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Strawberries - 3 kilograms
- Pears - 3 kilograms
- Apples - 3 kilograms
- Figs - 2 kilograms
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilograms
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Olives - 2 kilograms
- Pickles - 2 jars
- Hummus - 1.5 kilograms
- Cucumber - 3 kilograms
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Arugula - 6 bags
- Smoked salmon - 1.5 kilogram
- Shrimp - 1.5 kilograms
- Vegetarian puff pastry snacks - 100 pieces
- Mini quiches - 100 pieces
- Grape jam - 2 jars
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Sea salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Fresh chives - 4 bunches
- Fresh dill - 4 bunches
- Lemons - 3 kilogram
- Limes - 1 kilogram
- Dark chocolate - 1,5 kilogram
- Butter cookies - 4 boxes
- Mini madeleines - 100 pieces
- Paper napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Cleaning cloths - 12 pieces

Tips

Plan one champagne glass and one water glass per guest, with at least 10% extra for breakage or replacements. Keep plates, cutlery and serving tongs ready if snacks are part of the tasting.
Chill the bottles for at least 3 hours before serving. Have coolers or ice containers available during the tasting, and keep a separate supply of ice for refilling them.
Allow 2 to 3 small snack portions per guest for each hour. Use serving platters, cutting boards, chef’s knives and serving tongs so food can be replenished without interrupting the tasting.
Print tasting cards and prepare name badges at least 1 day in advance. Name card holders, menus and table runners make each tasting station easier to identify without adding clutter.
Set up the entrance and cloakroom before guests arrive: provide one coat hanger per guest, plus 10% extra, and place waste bins where empty bottles, used plates and napkins can be cleared quickly.

Frequently asked questions

How many champagne glasses do I need per person for a tasting?: Plan one champagne glass per guest, plus at least 10% extra. For 20 guests, prepare 22 glasses so a dropped or misplaced glass does not disrupt the tasting. Provide one water glass per person as well.
How many bottles of champagne do I need for a tasting?: For tasting pours, plan about 75 ml per champagne per guest. A standard 750 ml bottle gives roughly 10 tasting pours of 75 ml, so multiply the number of champagnes by the guest count and divide by 10, then add one spare bottle.
How long before a champagne tasting should I chill the bottles?: Chill the bottles for at least 3 hours before serving. Put the first bottles in coolers or ice containers immediately after delivery, and keep unopened bottles cold until they are needed.
What food should I buy for a champagne tasting?: Buy small, easy-to-eat snacks that will not overpower the champagne, and allow 2 to 3 portions per guest per hour. Check dietary requirements and allergies at least 3 days before shopping so suitable groceries can be included.

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