Party Size You don´t need a lot of guests to have a great party. What I have found works best is to have about four to twelve people, and definitely include yourself as one of registered guests. Also, I like to always have a contest during party and give away a gift.

Theme Selection Pick a fun theme, and remember theme also determines what wines will be poured. You can name a theme like "The Great Italians", "The Great Whites of California", or whatever fits your mood. I would suggest being very creative, possibilities are endless. If you tell your local wine merchant your theme, they can be a great source of help with wine and theme matching. Also, at a minimum make sure you have 4 to 6 different wine types to taste.

Food Choices Have you heard saying "First wine, then your menu"? If you had a theme for your party and your wines followed that theme, you may want to carry it through with whatever food you serve. For example if you are tasting Italian Reds why not serve some Italian munchies to match.

While you do need to provide foods that complement wines provided, food should not backbone of party. Focus on d´oeuvres such as: cheese, fruit, unsalted crackers, bread or other munchies you may have prepared for evening. Don not forget to have lots of bottled room temperature water and optional spit buckets available.

Where It Grows The Chardonnay grape grows everywhere. The exact origin of Chardonnay is hard to trace, but its reputation was established in Burgundy region of France. Winemakers love Chardonnay because vines are easy to grow, and have a high yield. Chardonnay is one of few grapes in world that does not require blending. However, it is also blended with Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier to produce Champagne.