What you need for a wine tasting

A wine tasting needs more than a few bottles and glasses. Plan one wine glass per guest plus spares, plenty of water, palate-cleansing snacks and a way to discard wine without interrupting the tasting. You will also need serving boards or platters, bottle openers, tasting notes and enough chilled storage for the wines that require it. Use this list alongside your guest count, tasting order and menu so you buy the right quantities rather than guessing.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 55
Buffet tablesqty 2
Coat racksqty 2
Waste binsqty 4

Tableware

Wine glassesqty 220
Water glassesqty 60
Platesqty 70
Dessert platesqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 60
Wine carafesqty 12
Spit bucketsqty 12
Wine coolersqty 8
Serving boardsqty 12
Serving plattersqty 12
Corkscrewsqty 6

Equipment

Coolersqty 8
Refrigeratorsqty 2
Wireless microphone
Speakersqty 2
Music player

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Serving tongsqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 2
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Ice packsqty 24

Decorations

Table runnersqty 8
Menusqty 55
Wine information signsqty 6
Name badgesqty 55
Flower arrangementsqty 8
Table décorqty 8

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Table lampsqty 8

Cleaning

Washing-up bowlsqty 3
Cleaning bucketsqty 3
Cleaning clothsqty 12
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Mop setsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Sauvignon blanc - 6 bottles
- Chardonnay - 6 bottles
- Pinot grigio - 6 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Merlot - 6 bottles
- Cabernet sauvignon - 6 bottles
- Alcohol-free white wine - 4 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Spa Blue - 48 bottles
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Coffee beans - 2 kilos
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Water crackers - 12 packs
- Grissini - 8 packs
- Brie - 2 kilos
- Goat cheese - 1,5 kilo
- Aged cheese - 2 kilo
- Manchego - 1,5 kilo
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Apples - 4 kilos
- Pears - 4 kg
- Figs - 2 kilos
- Unsalted almonds - 1 kilo
- Walnuts - 1 kilo
- Olives - 2 kilos
- Sun-dried tomatoes - 1 kilo
- Prosciutto - 1.5 kilos
- Salami - 1.5 kilos
- Hummus - 1.5 kilos
- Olive tapenade - 1 kilo
- Honey - 3 jars
- Fig jam - 3 jars
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 2 bottles
- Sea salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Rinse aid - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 12 pieces

Tips

Allow one wine glass per guest, plus at least 10% extra. For 20 guests, prepare 22 glasses so a dropped or misplaced glass does not stop the tasting.
Buy at least 500 ml of still water per guest and provide a separate water glass for each person. Refill water before guests arrive rather than during the first pour.
Plan snacks at around 100–150 g per guest when food is limited to tasting accompaniments. Choose plain bread, crackers or mild foods so they do not overpower the wines.
Have one spit bucket for every 6–8 guests, with at least two available for a group of 20. Place them at the tasting stations before opening the first bottle.
Chill white, rosé and sparkling wines for several hours before serving, and keep backup bottles in wine coolers or coolers with ice packs. Do not wait until guests arrive to start cooling them.

Frequently asked questions

How many wine glasses do I need for a wine tasting?: Use one glass per guest if everyone will taste from the same glass, but buy or set out 10% extra. For 20 guests, that means at least 22 glasses. If you are comparing several wines side by side, provide one glass per wine per guest instead.
How much wine should I buy for a wine tasting?: A standard tasting pour is about 50 ml per wine. For 20 guests tasting six wines, plan 6 litres in total, equivalent to eight 750 ml bottles. Add one or two extra bottles if you want generous pours or a drink after the tasting.
How much water do I need for a wine tasting?: Allow at least 500 ml of water per guest, plus extra for refilling glasses. For 20 people, buy or prepare a minimum of 10 litres. Keep water available at every tasting station.
When should I chill wine for a tasting?: Chill white, rosé and sparkling wines for at least 3–4 hours before guests arrive. Put reds in a cool room several hours ahead, and keep chilled bottles in a wine cooler or cooler with ice packs until serving.

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