What to Buy for a Wine Tasting

A wine tasting needs more than a bottle for each wine. Plan the glassware, water, spit buckets, serving equipment and printed materials before the delivery arrives. For a structured tasting, set out separate glasses or clearly marked stations for each round, plus enough water for every guest. This shopping list also covers practical items that are easy to overlook, such as coolers, carafes, name badge holders and menu card holders.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 48
Coat rack

Tableware

Wine glassesqty 120
Water glassesqty 50
Platesqty 60
Dessert platesqty 50
Cutlery setsqty 50
Wine carafesqty 12
Spit bucketsqty 12
Ice spoonsqty 4

Equipment

Coolersqty 6
Refrigeratorsqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coffee machinesqty 2
Bluetooth speaker
Extension cordsqty 3

Kitchen

Serving boardsqty 8
Serving plattersqty 12
Pliersqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 2

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Napkin holdersqty 8
Menu Card Holdersqty 12
Name badge holdersqty 50
Wine bottle rackqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Table lampsqty 8

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Bucketsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Dry white wine - 12 bottles
- Fresh white wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 10 bottles
- Light red wine - 12 bottles
- Full-bodied red wine - 12 bottles
- Dessert wine - 6 bottles
- Alcohol-free wine - 4 bottles
- Sparkling water - 24 bottles
- Still water - 24 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Tonic - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Coffee beans - 2 kilos
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Ice cubes - 15 kilos
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Crackers - 8 packs
- Grissini - 6 packs
- Salted butter - 1 kilo
- Brie - 2 kilos
- Gouda cheese - 2 kilos
- Blue Cheese - 1 kilo
- Goat cheese - 1 kilo
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Pears - 4 kg
- Apples - 4 kilos
- Figs - 2 kilos
- Unsalted nuts - 2 kilos
- Olives - 3 kg
- Sun-dried tomatoes - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Tapenade - 1 kilo
- Premium cold cuts - 2 kilos
- Smoked salmon - 1 kilo
- Falafel - 1.5 kilos
- Vegetable sticks - 3 kilos
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Dark chocolate - 1,5 kilo
- Almond macaroons - 5 packs
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Labels - 150 pieces
- Ballpoint pens - 30 pieces

Tips

Count wine glasses by tasting round, not just by guest. If guests will taste four wines at one time, prepare four wine glasses per person, or arrange enough replacements for quick washing between rounds.
Provide one water glass and one spit bucket per guest or tasting station. Add still water before guests arrive; people often remember the wine but forget that tasting several pours requires regular water and a way to discard wine.
Order the wine early enough to inspect the delivery and chill the bottles. Keep white and sparkling wines in coolers or refrigerators, and avoid relying on ice spoons or cooling equipment that has not been checked beforehand.
Buy or prepare serving boards, platters, cutting boards and suitable knives for any food served with the tasting. Check allergen information before shopping so dietary requirements are reflected in the menu.
Print tasting forms, menus and name badges before setup, and bring holders for each type. Keep a few spare copies and blank badges available for late registrations or last-minute changes.

Frequently asked questions

How many wine glasses do I need per person for a wine tasting?: For four wines served at the same time, plan four wine glasses per guest. You can reduce this to one or two glasses per person if you wash or replace them between rounds, but allow time and spare glasses for breakages.
How many bottles of wine do I need for a tasting?: A standard 750 ml bottle gives about 12 tasting pours of 60 ml, or 15 smaller pours of 50 ml. For 20 guests tasting five wines at 60 ml each, buy at least nine bottles, then add one or two spare bottles if the pours may be generous.
What do I need to serve water at a wine tasting?: Give each guest a water glass and provide still water throughout the event. As a practical starting point, allow at least 500 ml of water per guest for a tasting lasting two to three hours, plus extra water for refilling glasses.
When should I buy and chill the wine for a tasting?: Place the wine order several days before the event so you can check the delivery and labels. Chill white, rosé and sparkling wines at least four hours beforehand; keep red wines at a cool room temperature rather than over-chilling them.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.