Wine tasting shopping list

A wine tasting needs more than a selection of bottles. Plan the right number of tasting glasses, water, spit buckets, serving items and simple food so guests can compare wines comfortably. Use one tasting glass per wine if you want clear comparisons, or provide two per person for a smaller setup. Buy or borrow equipment early, especially glasses, carafes and coolers. Check deliveries as soon as they arrive and chill white and sparkling wines several hours before guests arrive.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 7
Chairsqty 36
Buffet tableqty 2
Tableclothsqty 8

Tableware

Wine tasting glassesqty 40
Water glassesqty 40
Platesqty 40
Dessert platesqty 40
Cutlery setsqty 40
Spit bucketsqty 12
Carafesqty 8
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving utensilsqty 8

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Ice cube traysqty 4
Wine openersqty 4
Drip catchersqty 8
Wine coolersqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef and serving knivesqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 2
Kitchen bowlsqty 4
Cookie tongsqty 4

Decorations

Name card holdersqty 36
Table décorqty 8
Menu standsqty 8
Flower arrangementsqty 6

Lighting

Mood lightingqty 4
LED candlesqty 24

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Trash bag holdersqty 4
Dish brushesqty 3
Spongesqty 6
Cleaning bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broom and dustpanqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Prosecco - 2 bottles
- Sauvignon blanc - 2 bottles
- Chardonnay - 2 bottles
- Rosé - 2 bottles
- Pinot noir - 2 bottles
- Merlot - 2 bottles
- Rioja reserva - 2 bottles
- Dessert wine - 2 bottles
- Alcohol-free sparkling wine - 3 bottles
- Still mineral water - 12 bottles
- sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Grape juice - 4 liters
- Apple juice - 3 liters
- Cola - 3 liters
- Cola Zero - 3 liter
- Coffee - 500 grams
- Tea - 40 bags
- Milk - 3 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Sugar - 500 grams
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Crackers - 6 packs
- Salted butter - 500 grams
- Brie - 1 kilogram
- Goat cheese - 750 grams
- Gouda cheese - 1 kilogram
- Blue cheese - 500 grams
- Parma ham - 750 grams
- Fuet - 500 grams
- Olives - 1 kilogram
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Apples - 2 kilograms
- Pears - 2 kilograms
- Figs - 500 grams
- Nut mix - 1 kilogram
- Walnuts - 500 gram
- Raisins - 500 grams
- Honey - 500 grams
- Fig jam - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Dark chocolate - 500 grams
- Milk chocolate - 500 grams
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Fresh mint - 3 bunches
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Coffee filters - 50 pieces
- Napkins - 100 pieces
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Disinfectant wipes - 2 packs

Tips

Allow roughly half a bottle of wine per guest for a guided tasting, then adjust the total for the number of wines and whether you are serving full glasses. Keep one or two spare bottles available for breakage or unexpectedly high attendance.
Provide at least one tasting glass per wine per guest for side-by-side comparisons; otherwise, plan two glasses per person and rinse them between flights. Buy or borrow these at least one week before the tasting.
Set out one water glass per guest and at least one spit bucket for every 8 to 10 people. Add extra water and ice because guests will use them throughout the tasting, not only between wines.
Plan 100 to 150 grams of cheese, meat, bread or crackers per guest if snacks are replacing a meal. Slice cheese and meat shortly before serving and use separate boards and knives for preparation and serving.
Do not leave chilling and opening equipment until the last hour. Prepare coolers and ice the day before, and have at least two working wine openers, drip catchers and enough carafes for wines that need decanting.

Frequently asked questions

How many wine bottles do I need for a wine tasting?: For tasting pours, allow about one 750 ml bottle for 10 to 12 guests per wine. For six wines and 20 guests, that means roughly 10 to 12 bottles, depending on pour size and whether guests receive a second pour.
How many wine glasses do I need per person?: Use one glass per wine for a formal side-by-side tasting, or two glasses per person when guests will rinse and reuse them. For 20 guests tasting six wines, you need 120 glasses for the first option or 40 for the second.
How much food should I buy for a wine tasting?: Buy 100 to 150 grams of snacks per person when the tasting is not a full meal. For 20 guests, prepare 2 to 3 kilograms of cheese, meat, bread, crackers and similar food, with extra for dietary requirements.
When should I chill the wine for a tasting?: Chill white, rosé and sparkling wines at least 3 to 4 hours before guests arrive. Put red wines in the room 1 to 2 hours beforehand so they are not served too cold, and check the temperature before pouring.

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