Want to travel to France and sample some Burgundy and funky cheese? How about a trip down the picturesque Danube River? International travel may be on hold for now, but that doesn't mean you cannot experience the sights and flavors of your favorite countries right in your own home - with virtual events.

Virtual meetings and get togethers have emerged as a convenient way to connect with clients, co-workers, family and friends. Wineries and wine shops started offering online wine tastings as a way to sell wine and stay in touch while their tasting rooms and retail outlets were closed. These events have become a creative and fun way to bring a piece of wine country home!

The tastings can go way beyond wine (and beer and bourbon…). Adding a gourmet cheese and charcuterie platter is a tasty compliment, but you also can have full restaurant meals delivered. Ordering take out is a great way to support local restaurants while their capacity is limited. La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs has partnered with top chefs to arrange exquisite dinners for its members to enjoy at home. The possibilities are endless!

From Zoom to Instagram Live to Facebook videos, virtual wine tastings have been popping up everywhere. So I suppose it was only natural that clients started to ask me if I would be willing to host a virtual tasting. As a trained sommelier, I host in-person tasting events and was skeptical that the same experience could be recreated via video. After all, the point is to connect with like-minded people and build camaraderie - while enjoying delicious wine and learning a bit along the way. I decided to give it a shot and I'm happy to say they have been a hit!

The key to a successful tasting is participation. It is so important to create an interactive experience that allows everyone the chance to share their impressions, ask questions and tell stories. The main goal is to connect with each other and to build relationships - not to get a certification or a sales pitch. At the end of an online experience, I want participants to feel like they have engaged with others, learned a bit of info, and had a fun time!

I personally love events that are multi-dimentional. Let's face it, staring at a video screen all day can get tiresome. That's why I like to include an additional element of travel to my tastings. With vibrant photos and key tips on the region, the whole experience comes alive.

For example, wine writer Cindy Rynning is hosting a river cruise in France next year. She and I teamed up on Zoom to present highlights of the cuisine, wines, historic sights, art and active ventures that travelers experience in the South of France. Everyone drank French wine, met new people with similar interests and had a fabulous time.

Some other examples of engaging topics include:

Intro to Wine Tasting
Old World vs New World
Gourmet Cheese Pairing 101
Champagne vs Sparkling Wine
Virtual Trip to ...
How to Plan the Ultimate Wine Tour
Hidden Gems of Wine Country
Beginners Guide to River Cruising
Cycle Through the Vineyards
Enticing Bike Trips Around the Globe

Given the explosive success of virtual events, it's safe to say they are here to stay. Whether you are looking to engage with clients or catch up with old friends, virtual wine tastings and travel events are the perfect go-to pairing.

If you are interested in more info on corporate events, or if you would like to set up a tasting for a group of friends, click here to send me a note.