| Early September is a great time to start thinking | | | | theme for a large amount of guests you might |
| about planning some great indoor parties. While | | | | want to think of something a little more practical. |
| you may love the freedom of entertaining | | | | What Wines to Serve: |
| outdoors and the great taste of grilled entrees, | | | | If this is your firsts wine party and you want to |
| when the leaves start to change, often time a | | | | attempt to please varying palettes, I usually |
| cozy indoor party is your best bet. Don't feel that | | | | suggest serving a minimum of seven wines. |
| planning a party indoors limits the amount of fun | | | | Serving this number of wines will allow you to |
| you can have. The colder seasons are great for | | | | offer three red and white wines of varying |
| themed parties. If you're looking for a | | | | classes (dry to sweet) as well as a blush wine |
| sophisticated and fun party idea; think about | | | | such as a zinfandel. |
| inviting a few over and hosting wine tasting party. | | | | It's helpful to consider what type of foods will be |
| - Choosing a Wine: | | | | accompanying your wine. There are various types' |
| Your average, house wine may be fine to drink | | | | food and wine parings, but as a general rule, you'll |
| with your daily meal, but when you throw a wine | | | | want to choose white wines for light poultry or |
| tasting party, you may want to consider going for | | | | chicken dishes, red wines with beefs or spicy |
| quality wine. This doesn't mean you need to | | | | meats, and zinfandels for dishes like stir-fry or |
| spend a fortune, it merely means that you want | | | | other Asian inspired foods. |
| to search for a wine with various characteristics | | | | Preparing the Wines: |
| that you can discern during your tasting. When | | | | To really get the full palate experience from each |
| choosing wines to offer at your tasting party, | | | | wine, it's important to serve them properly. This |
| take time do a little research. At the very least, | | | | means that the white wines must be chilled and |
| when you're shopping for the wines read the | | | | that your red wines should be aerated. It's also a |
| explanation of the wine that is usually on the back | | | | good idea to supply your guests with at least two |
| of the bottle. You can also ask the sales associate | | | | wine glasses. White wine is generally served in |
| at your local wine distributor, or browse the | | | | narrow glass and red wines are served in classes |
| suggested wine lists often offered by online | | | | with wide bowls that allow the wine to aerate. |
| retailers. | | | | Helpful Hint: You may want to keep a pitcher of |
| - How to Purchase Wines: | | | | water and some basic cracker in a bowl to help |
| The internet is a great place to look for rare and | | | | guests clean their pallets. |
| unique items, and wine is no exception. Often | | | | What to Serve: |
| time's gourmet website will have a great selection | | | | The food that will accompany your wines will also |
| of wines that you can order over the internet. | | | | be important to the overall experience of your |
| Since they also offer many interesting cheeses | | | | guests. You will want to serve foods that go well |
| and other foods, search for both food and wine | | | | with wines such as cheese and cracker. Select |
| that can create unique palette pleasing | | | | various type sof cheeses so you can taste them |
| experiences during your party. If you don't | | | | with assorted wines. With the right selection of |
| consider yourself very internet savvy or need the | | | | wine you should easily be able to pair most foods |
| wine in a considerably short amount of time | | | | with at least one wine. However, it's generally not |
| check out your local wine distributer and ask for | | | | a good idea to serve foods that are extremely |
| some suggestions on what wines to purchase for | | | | strong in flavor since they may overpower the |
| your party, most sales reps will be happy to help | | | | wines. Since wine is the main focus or your father |
| you. | | | | choose foods that will compliment your wines, not |
| I also offer the following suggestion to those who | | | | wines that compliment your foods. |
| would like to offer a vast selection of wines yet | | | | I highly suggest keeping the menu very simple. A |
| don't necessarily have the budget to do so. | | | | wine tasting is a time for friends to get together |
| Consider asking your guests to bring a bottle of | | | | and converse over good food and great wine. |
| their favorite wine, or even suggesting a type if | | | | You will want guests to be able to mingle. Stay |
| wine they could bring. Asking your guests to bring | | | | away from meals that require you to spend |
| a bottle of wine will be an exciting wine to share | | | | excessive time away from guests and in the |
| favorites or new finds with friends. | | | | kitchen. I also find that serving as meals that will |
| Helpful Hint: The nature of a wine party is more | | | | require your guests to adhere to a specific eating |
| apt for smaller get-togethers. Invite a few friends | | | | and drinking pattern are not as functional as meals |
| (10 guests is usually a pretty good number) that | | | | that offer the chance to eat, drink, and converse |
| have a love for wine. If you're looking for a party | | | | freely. |