What to Buy for a Wine Tasting

A wine tasting needs more than a selection of bottles. You also need enough glasses, water, snacks, chilling space and a way for guests to discard wine they do not finish. Use this shopping list to cover the practical details before guests arrive. The right quantities depend on your guest count, but planning by person and by tasting round prevents the most common shortages.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 65
Tableclothsqty 8

Tableware

Wine glassesqty 400
Water glassesqty 70
Platesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 70
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8

Equipment

Wine openersqty 8
Wine coolersqty 8
Coolersqty 4
Water jugsqty 8
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Microphone
Serving jugsqty 8

Kitchen

Corkscrewsqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Serving plattersqty 12
Spit bucketsqty 20

Decorations

Table numbersqty 8
Wine information signsqty 8
Name badge holdersqty 70

Lighting

Atmosphere lightsqty 8

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Bucketsqty 3
Cleaning clothsqty 12

Catering

Tasting cardsqty 70
Pensqty 70
Name badgesqty 70
Groceries
- Dry white wine - 8 bottles
- Fresh white wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé wine - 6 bottles
- Light red wine - 6 bottles
- Full-bodied red wine - 8 bottles
- Dessert wine - 4 bottles
- Sparkling wine - 6 bottles
- Alcohol-free wine - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Tonic - 3 bottles
- Ginger ale - 3 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Lemons - 2 kilos
- Ice cubes - 15 kilos
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Crackers - 10 packs
- Olives - 6 jars
- Grapes - 6 kilos
- Apples - 5 kilo
- Pears - 4 kg
- Strawberries - 4 kilos
- Mixed nuts - 4 kilos
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Cream cheese - 2 kilo
- Brie - 2 kilos
- Aged cheese - 2 kilo
- Goat cheese - 1 kilo
- Vegan cheese - 1 kilo
- Grape jam - 4 jars
- Parma ham - 1.5 kilos
- Fuet - 1.5 kilos
- Smoked chicken - 1 kilo
- Vegetarian tapenade - 8 tubs
- Cucumber - 3 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Rosemary - 4 bunches
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 12 pieces

Tips

Plan one tasting glass per wine per guest if you want to compare wines side by side; otherwise, provide at least two glasses per person and rinse them between pours.
Buy about 75–100 ml of each wine per guest for a guided tasting. For six wines and 10 guests, that is 4.5–6 litres in total, or roughly 6–8 standard bottles.
Provide at least 500 ml of still water per guest, plus water glasses and one or two jugs on each table. Guests need water throughout the tasting, not just at the start.
Allow one spit bucket for every four to six guests, especially when serving several wines. Put them on the tables before opening the first bottle so guests do not have to ask for one.
Order snacks that can be prepared ahead and served without plates becoming crowded. Buy enough for roughly two to three small portions per guest per hour, and confirm dietary requirements before placing the final order.

Frequently asked questions

How many bottles of wine do I need for a wine tasting?: For a tasting pour of 75–100 ml, one 750 ml bottle serves about 7–10 guests for one wine. For 10 guests tasting six wines, buy approximately 6–8 bottles in total, depending on pour size and whether guests will finish every glass.
How many wine glasses do I need per person?: Use one glass per wine if you want a clear comparison, so six glasses per guest for six wines. If that is impractical, provide at least two glasses per person and rinse them between tasting rounds.
What food should I buy for a wine tasting?: Plan two to three small snack portions per guest per hour, including options that suit the wines and any dietary requirements. Buy or prepare snacks at least one day ahead when possible, then arrange them shortly before guests arrive.
How much water do I need for a wine tasting?: Allow at least 500 ml of still water per guest, with extra if the tasting lasts more than two hours. Put filled jugs and water glasses on the tables before the first pour, and keep additional water chilled nearby.

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