Forget crowded restaurants and noisy bars. The ultimate girls’ night out is actually a girls’ night in. This season, host a small group of friends for an intimate in-home wine experience featuring a local sommelier, sure to be a sophisticated and indulgent event.
Ahwatukee resident Maria Reyes-Smith is an engineer by day and shares her passion for and expertise in wine as a sommelier at night. After completing her sommelier education at the Wine and Spirits Education Trust and Wine Scholar Guild, both in Napa, Calif., she began offering in-home wine tasting classes in 2019.
Her first class was an in-person experience hosted in Spanish for a group of female engineers. Since then, she’s hosted in-person and virtual wine tastings for small groups from bachelorette parties to team builders and everything in between.
“I love it when my guests invite me to host a girls’ night in wine class,” says Reyes-Smith. “Being at their own home gives them the flexibility to invite any guests (best friends, sisters, or their grandmas) to the party. It makes for a relaxed setting where they can just focus on having fun.”
When preparing to host, Reyes-Smith works with the client to determine the theme of the evening—perhaps a class about sparkling wines or one that explores reds of California. She then procures the wine from various sources within a provided budget.
And how many people does she recommend inviting? “No less than four people and no more than eight people for an in-home event,” she shares. “Between four and eight is the sweet spot.” This ensures that each guest can taste at least three ounces of each type of wine.
She begins by guiding guests through the basics of wine tasting, explaining the importance of swirling, sniffing and savoring each wine. She shares her knowledge about the different regions, grape varietals and winemaking techniques that contribute to the unique characteristics of each bottle.
“I like showing four different wines and working through a progression of bottles,” Reyes-Smith says. “No two classes are the same. Each experience is different because of the group of people and the wines shared.”
Charming and knowledgeable, Reyes-Smith is a wealth of wine information, and her presentation is fun, interactive and informative. Guests will leave the evening feeling educated, entertained and thoroughly impressed.
Hosting an in-home wine tasting is a fun twist on girls’ night—one that is a truly unforgettable experience. It is a unique and elegant way to entertain friends, learn about wine and create lasting memories.
If you want to recreate this amazing experience in your own home, you can connect with Reyes-Smith via Instagram @Marivinera or Marivinera.com. The sumptuous charcuterie boards were provided by local favorite The Cellar (TheCellarPHX.com). The four wines of the evening, curated by Reyes-Smith and supplied by The Cellar, included Joseph Cattin Alsace Pinot Blanc; Cotes-du-Coast Viognier Blend; Montinore Pinot Noir; and Laberinto Bordeaux Blend.
Reyes-Smith expertly paired each wine with delectable bites from the charcuterie board. The Pinot Blanc was a perfect match for the dried apricots, while the Viognier complemented the salty Marcona almonds. The Pinot Noir paired beautifully with the rich prosciutto and sweet cherry jam, and the Bordeaux blend enhanced the flavors of the espresso-dusted cheddar, savory salami and luscious chocolates.
Charming and knowledgeable, Reyes-Smith is a wealth of wine information, and her presentation is fun, interactive and informative.