While the world is coming back and some holiday parties IRL (“in real life”) along with it, there still may be the need or the desire to squeeze in one more virtually. If you’re still looking for ideas for virtual holiday experiences for your friends, family members, or colleagues, here are a few I am hosting or have been eyeing this holiday season.

Virtual Pizza Tours
Virtual, guided tours of Chicago’s famous pizza, where the pizza is sent directly to your house? What fun. Get guided by James Beard award-winning critic Steve Dolinsky? Even better. Learn more at Pizza City USA. Click “Corporate Custom Events” to explore virtual options.

There are several amazing chocolate purveyors. My favorite chocolate tastings are those that explore “terroir” of the beans of origin – or the various blends of the chocolate itself (dark chocolate/almonds + chocolate/sea salt + chocolate/dried cherries, etc.). You could pick a beverage (coffee or a glass of red wine) and see how the various blends of chocolate taste differently with it. TCHO is a terroir-driven chocolate purveyor in the Bay Area that has innumerable blends/packages to taste – find a 14 bar set that would be fun here.

I have led several virtual tasting this holiday season- and have several themes I think are fun. A virtual tasting can be as simple as featuring or ordering the same bottle by all participants, like a bottle of Champagne to all family members for a Hanukkah, Christmas, or New Year’s Eve toast. A virtual tasting can be as complex as a thematic tasting with 4 bottles such as Around California or Around France in 80 Sips®, with one bottle each from various appellations within a region. You can pick the most well-known varieties from each (e.g. French Champagne, White Burgundy, Red Bordeaux, Red Rhone Blend). Or you could pick 3-4 wines of her same varietal (e.g. Pinot Noir) from around the World and discussing how the same grape from different places tastes. Or you can just order a great gift set of 4x bottles (1x sparkling, 1x white, 2x reds) and taste in order. If you want any personal recommendations, email me at info@ajrventures.com, and happy to help!

A few wineries from which I’ve sourced 4 bottle holiday tastings are:

www.duckhorn.com
www.farniente.com
www.fishervineyards.com
www.kingstonfamilyvineyards.com

Virtual Cheese Tastings
Whether you’re pairing the wines with cheese or just doing a standalone cheese tasting, there are so many great ways to do a cheese tasting. Artisanal cheese tasting kits are best if they come with cheeses of varying origins and milk sources and flavor profiles and cheese tasting notes and Artisanal Premium cheese of New York has several from which to choose
 

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