Organizing tastings isn't rocket science. But between "it was okay" and "that was amazing" often lie just a few details – that surprisingly many organizers overlook.
Here are the five most common mistakes we see again and again. And how to avoid them.
1. Too Many Products at Once
Eight wines, ten cheeses, twelve whisky samples – sounds like great variety, right? In reality, it's a surefire way to overwhelm your guests.
After the fifth or sixth product, attention drops. Taste buds fatigue. The differences blur. By the end, no one remembers product three.
Better: Less is more. Four to six products is the sweet spot. Fewer, but more intense – with time for each one.
2. No Materials for Guests
You're passionately talking about origin, aromas, and background – but your guests have nothing to take notes or look things up later.
The result: After a week, everything is forgotten. No memory of the products, no recommendation to friends, no follow-up purchase.
Better: Give your guests something to take home. A tasting card, a small booklet, at least a sheet with the key info. It makes your tasting more professional – and more memorable.
3. The Wrong Order
A bold red wine before a light white? A smoky Islay whisky to start? An intense blue cheese before the mild Brie?
The order can make or break a tasting. A strong product at the beginning numbs the palate for everything that follows.
Better: Always go from light to heavy, mild to intense, dry to sweet. Build a narrative arc – with the highlight towards the end.
4. Monologue Instead of Dialogue
You're the expert. You have a lot to share. But if you talk for 90 minutes and your guests just nod, you're missing something crucial.
The best tastings aren't lectures. They're conversations. Moments where guests share their impressions, wonder, discuss.
Better: Build in interaction. Ask questions. Let them vote. Do a blind tasting in between. Give your guests an active role – they'll love it.
5. No Closing, No Follow-up
The last product is tasted, you say "thanks for coming" – and that's it. The guests go home, the energy fizzles out.
But this exact moment is gold. The mood is great, the excitement is there. Without a proper closing, nothing sticks.
Better: Close the loop. Show the overall results (if you did voting). Ask for feedback. Give recommendations on where to buy the favorites. And if you want to be truly professional: Send a short summary by email the next day.
Conclusion: The Details Make the Difference
None of these mistakes is fatal. But together, they determine whether your guests say "it was nice" or "we have to do this again."
The good news: They're all easy to avoid. With a bit of planning – and the right tools.
TastingHub helps you avoid these mistakes in the first place: automatic materials, live voting, structured workflows. So you can focus on what really matters.
