First and foremost, don't panic. This is meant to be a fun, entertaining, perhaps educational function. Initially, you have to decide on whether you want to have it formal or informal. Much of this will depend on your available space and how many people you want to accommodate. A formal tasting involves utilizing a table large enough so attendees can each be seated with however number of glasses required for the number of wines set up in front of them...

An informal set up, no matter the space, but especially beneficial to smaller venues, is to have everyone utilize one glass each that they rinse between wines. Obviously, this method requires much less glassware, The opened bottles are easily set up on a counter top or dining room table and folks simply walk down each side pouring their own samples at will.

In either case, the following items will be required. Utilize anywhere from 6-8 different wines. Any more and participants might get a bit bored or overwhelmed. As for quantity of each wine to purchase, you should get approximately 10 -12 pours (approximately 2 oz. each) out of each bottle whether you are prepouring or they help themselves. Remember, these are tasting pours, not drinking pours. So for 10 people, 1 bottle of each wine should suffice. However, if planning to open the event up to a party-like situation afterward, you may want to purchase more. You will need buckets of some sort for dumping wine, especially if utilizing one glass each. Spittoons should be made available. Even if the event turns into a party later on, during the tasting portion, folks should be encouraged to spit. Oh, I know it's gross but it's the best way to not let the alcohol get in the way of distinguishing the wines. Later on you can indulge with some nibbles. Coloured or opaque (not clear) plastic beer cups work great as spittoons because you simply file them under "G" afterwards. Make sure there is plenty of water available for sipping, cleaning the palate between wines and especially important for rinsing glasses between wines if utilizing only one. Some unsalted crackers, bread or dry biscuits are also a good idea to have on hand to help clean the palate between wines. Ensure that no garnishes or condiments are on these to throw the wine's flavour off. The focus for the tasting portion here are the wines. Make up some tasting sheets with the name of the wine, country of origin, perhaps retail price and a space for notes or comments and make them available along with pencils or pens. This way attendees will have a record of what they tasted to take home with them.

Pick a theme. It can be red, white or rose, a particular style like sparkling, a specific varietal like Cabernet Sauvignon, a single vintage like 2001, an individual country like Australia, a wine region like Bordeaux, or whatever you desire. Do try to have some focus though rather than a wild mix of lots of different things. I believe folks will get more out of it this way.

If you really want to have some fun and give your senses a real workout, serve the wines blind. In a formal setting this is easy, especially if you prepour the wines. Just don't bring the bottles out to the table. In an informal setting, put a wrap or paper bag around them. In both cases, you could create a game-like atmosphere by altering the tasting sheet, simply listing the wines in random order and offer a prize to anyone who can correctly match the numbers with the appropriate wines. A sort of "taste-off", if you will!

After the formal part of the tasting is complete, unveil the wines, if covered, bring out the nibbles (cheese, crackers, bread, pate, cutup veggies, dips, etc.) and party on down. I'm sure the tasting portion will have tweaked some appetites and no doubt will stimulate some lively conversation, maybe even about the wines.

As a final suggestion, encourage your guests to take public transport or a taxi to and from your tasting event. A certain amount of alcohol can get into the blood stream through the pores even if spitting out and for sure, if indulging later on.

So you see, it's not that hard to host a wine tasting of your own at home by simply following the doctor's advice. Give it a go and enjoy!