How to Host the Perfect Wine Tasting Fundraiser with Eric V. Orange

LIVE SHOW RECAP:

We were talking all things Wine on DivaTalkRadio with special guest Eric V. Orange.

To connect with Eric, visit www.LocalWineEvents.com, which is “The World’s Leading Wine Events Calendar.” Lists Wine, Food, Beer & Spirits events by city, worldwide.

During the show, we had many questions from our Loyal Listeners Club. Here are a few:

Divas: What is the legs, nose, mouth of wine?
Eric: Legs – when you swirl the wine in the glass and that settles back, the alcohol creates streams. The thicker the legs, the more alcohol in the wine but it’s just one clue for an overall perception.

Nose – simply the smell! After you swirl it, stick your nose down in the glass and enjoy!

Mouth – how it feels in your mouth – heavy, light acidic, crisp… The bottom line is do you like it?

Divas: What should a newbie look for in a wine?
Eric: This depends on what you like. You may start with something light and soft like a White Zinfandel. Certainly have it with a meal or with cheese, crackers grapes. As people progress, they start to gravitate towards bigger bolder flavors in the red side.

Some of our Diva’s enjoy a White Zinfandel, but we are encouraged to move to bolder richer varieties, like a dessert wine with some chocolate.

Divas: What food with which wine?
Eric: Today you can just Google that! Historically we say white wine with lighter foods like fish and darker wines with meat.

Divas: What is an example of a dessert wine?
Eric: A dark red. Ice Wine from Canada is popular this way. It is made from grapes after they have frozen.

Divas: How long can a bottle of wine last after it’s been open?
Eric: Just a few days.

Divas: What is the protocol of taking your own wine to a restaurant?
Eric: Call ahead and ask if it is permissible. Most restaurants don’t love this idea. They may offer to have you bring it in on a “corkage fee,” (anywhere from zero to $25 or $30) to ice it for you, serve it to you. They really don’t want you bringing in something that is already on their list OR something that is really cheap. Perhaps if it is a special occasion and this is a special bottle.

Wine tasting tips:

Don’t wear a lot of perfume! The people around you want to smell the wines.

Don’t go to a wine tasting hungry – It is not a smorgasbord!

How to connect with Eric: www.LocalWineEvents.com to see what is happening in your area. Sign up for his free newsletter called “The Juice” to see what is coming up.

Or connect through Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Localwineevents

You can stream a replay of this special show right here below:

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On the next episode of DivaTalkRadio, we will be talking “wine” with Eric V. Orange, founder of www.LocalWineEvents.com. Eric will be discussing how to host a wine fundraisers and wine tasting dos & don’ts.

Eric has had a diverse and distinguished 20+ year career within the wine industry. After an enlistment in the Submarine Service of the United States Navy, Eric joined an ex-shipmate who was attending the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, New York. He took a job at Millbrook Vineyards outside of Poughkeepsie and spent almost five years learning to grow grapes and make wine as the Vineyard Supervisor. Eric moved back to his hometown to attend college and took a part time job at a 105 yr old private club which quickly became a full time position as the Bar Manager/Wine Steward.

That job led to a position as a Wine Representative for a local Wholesaler, which in turn led to a position as District Manager for Paterno Imports in Colorado. During five and a half years with Paterno, Eric attained certification from theCourt of Master Sommeliers (1st phase) and a Master of Wine Education certification from the International Wine Guild.

He is a member of the Society of Wine Educators. He also served on the board of the American Institute of Wine and Food (AIWF), Denver Chapter. Finally, he decided to develop his idea for LocalWineEvents.com.  Eric and his family currently live just outside of Philadelphia.

His website is  www.LocalWineEvents.com

Plan to join Gina and I as we tip the glass and talk “wine” today on the next DivaTalkRadio, Wednesday, September 28th at 2:00 p.m. EST www.DivaTalkRadio.com/live