Hosting a wine party can be somewhat intimidating. Unless you have professional restaurant experience, or you are a sommelier, my advice is to keep it as simple as possible. Wine can be very intimidating to some, so let it be a relaxing experience for your guests. It is my wish that the following information will help you celebrate very happily. Please feel free to email me with any feedback or suggestions after your wine party!

 

 

· Know your guests’ wine preference.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you are hosting a party of close friends, try your best to have their favorite style available. Usually this is not that hard if there are less than 10 people there. This is more important if you are footing the bill for the soire’e. If it is a BYOW, then your guests will already probably be carrying one of their preferred wines. Be sure to indicate what it is in/on your invitation.

 

 

 

 

· Have your supplies ready.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  If you have the means, try to have a couple different types of glassware available. This doesn’t always have to be expensive. (If you are looking for some reasonably priced glassware, please email me.) Have one universal red, and white wine glass available for each guest. Also, have a spit-bucket handy. You don’t have to spend a lot at Pampered Chef or Williams Sonoma, you can pick up a child’s beach bucket from Wal-Mart, or a simple plastic ice container and it will do the job fine. Also, have a good supply of cold water available for your guests. It’s a good thing to keep them hydrated and give them an opportunity to rinse their palates as well, between wines. A good wine key is a necessity, there have been many a wine party ruined by the accidental omission of this tool .

 

 

· Serve the wine at the proper temperature!

 

  Here is a guide for the proper serving temperatures for your wines:

 

 

  This is easier to achieve than you may think. If you’re having a Super bowl party outside, you can ice down your whites and sparkling wines in a cooler or bucket the same way you would ice down sodas and water. The reds should be kept cool, but in a warm environment may be a little harder to monitor. Try keeping on very light ice if it’s out in the backyard. If you’re inside, store it in the wine cooler for a more constant temp.

 

 With the above information, it should be pretty easy to have a fun wine party during the big game. If you are having everyone bring a bottle, ask them to tell a little about the wine when opening it and maybe a pad of paper handy so others can copy down the name and where to get it if they want to buy more later. Have fun everyone!

           Many times, Valentine’s Day includes a bottle of wine as a part of the celebration. Here are some wines that I have always enjoyed and will hopefully help to set the mood for you and your loved one this year:

 

· Banfi, Rosa Regale. A charming, Italian, semi-sparkling rose’, this wine is a very tasty accompaniment to chocolate raspberry desserts. Low in alcohol, it is easy to drink and still stay focused on your mate. Available at Mililani Fujioka’s.

· Sofia, Sparkling wine from Coppola Vineyards. This is attainable in 2 ways-small single serving cans, or in a regular 750ml bottle. Either way, it is a fun, bubbly wine that uses the charmat method of carbonation. Goes well with Salmon Mousse. Available at SWAM.

· Hartley-Ostini, Cork Dancer. This is a Pinot Noir from the area that the movie “Sideways” was filmed. A great, smooth pinot, with just the right amount of oak and fruit, it has always been one of my favorite pinots. Available at SWAM.

 

Enjoy your Valentine’s Day, and don’t forget the chocolates!