| |
| |
|
|
|
Choosing that Perfect Wine for a Dinner Party
So, you find yourself having been invited to a dinner party and decided to bring the host a bottle of wine. But which type of wine should you buy? I am sure you have seen people seemingly bewildered in front of the wine shelves at the local grocery or liquor store. You have seen them, staring dumbly with no idea what wine to pick out. After you read this article, you can be assured you will never be one of those people. Choosing a wine can be a tricky decision. You want your selection to please as many people as possible including your host. If you know ahead what is on the menu, the choice becomes easier. The general guidelines are as follows: - Light-bodied wines complement light food. - Full-bodied wines are needed when pairing with hearty food. However, in the situation where you do not know the menu, it is ok as there are a few other key items to consider. Host Preference It is very important to consider the host. If you know the host well, you may want to select a bottle that suits his or her individual preferences. If you're less familiar with your host's favorites, select a popular wine variety such as Chardonnay or Merlot. You can further customize the choice by selecting a wine that matches the recipientīs personality or intended usage. Are they more likely to open the bottle soon or age it in their cellar? Will they savor it during an everyday dinner or bring it out to impress friends? Do they have a fondness towards a particular wine or growing region? Price Considerations Of course all decisions must be balanced with respect to its price. In the situation of having a budget of $25 and above, your selections choices are wide open. A favorite of mine and a crowd pleaser is a Cabernet, a well rounded and highly excepted classic. Ok, now let's take a look at the $15 to $25 budget range. My suggestion here is that you just stick with a traditional Chardonnay or Merlot. They are both widely appreciated and just a bit less costly than Cabernets. Even at $15 and under there are some really enjoyable choices. For $10 you can get Veramonte Cabnernet Sauvignon from the Casablanca Valley, located in Chile. Another great selection is the Australian Shiraz or the Sauvignon Blancs, both of which may pleasantly surprise the recipient. Contributor: Stuart Glasure [A wine enthusiast and publishing member of the wine source: http://www.WineDefinitions.com.]
MORE RESOURCES: Constellation Europe has announced senior management changes to its wine, spirits and cider divisions as part of a major restructuring plan. Its the first week of a New Year, time to transfer birth dates and anniversaries out of our old, well thumbed calendars and into shiny new ones. So why not scribble in a few save the dates while were at it Happening this week: an appearance by Mr. Mojito, also known as David Nepove, director of mixology for Southern Wine Spirits. The nations economy in 2008 apparently drove more Pennsylvanians to drink in the second half of the year. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. The Charmer Sunbelt Group , one of the countrys leading distributors of spirits and wine, and the Wine Spirit Wholesalers of America together with the Florida Department of Business Professional Regulation , The Brown Forman Company and TURF National Spokesman Joe Theismann today unveiled an integrated program designed to promote safe and responsible tailgating at both The University of Hawaii will host its seventh annual UH Baseball Grand Slam Celebration Jan. 19 at the Stan Sheriff Center. Access Beverage Inc. engages in the manufacture, marketing and sale of wine and spirit brands in the United States, with future brands planned for launch in China and Russia. Its brands include the wines Le Snoot, Mardi Gras, Bees Knees, and Lure , as well as Simply RAW Vodka. Mantra Restaurant Bar, in collaboration with Italthai Industrial Co., Ltd, recently held a fantastic Riedel Masterclass Wine Tasting Dinner. The evening began with a wine and glassware masterclass Annapolis Reiki will offer reiki sessions at 7 p.m. Jan. 5 at Unity by the Bay, 836 Ritchie Highway in Severna Park. These sessions are open to those interested in experiencing this relaxation method. For reservations and more information, call 410 268 2524 or contact patannapolisreiki.com. Six months after Sunday liquor sales became legal in Colorado, some liquor store owners find flattened Saturday and Monday sales and increased staffing costs for a net decline in revenue. The Eagle Valley Chamber of Commerce has sent a note of thanks to all those who helped make the the 2008 Extravaganza Citizen of the Year and Business of the Year celebration such a success. |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES The Truth About Red Wine and Heart Disease Red Wine, Heart Disease, Hungry Sharks and Knights in Shining ArmorWhat is so special about wine? What is it that makes it potentially more protective against coronary heart disease, and perhaps other diseases, that other forms of alcohol?In recent years, scientists have concluded without doubt that many human diseases such as heart disease, cancer and the aging process is caused or stimulated by a ravenous group of chemicals called free radicals, that act like hungry sharks. These highly charged little villains prowl the body and attack healthy cell membranes through a process that is called oxidation. Beer, Wine and Your Bones If you like the taste of a good brew, then here is some good news! In a recent research study of over 2,900 women and men, researchers found that beer, which contains silicon, may promote bone health. Silicon is a mineral that is thought to stimulate collagen production, which is a building block in bone formation. Riesling Wine The most famous cool climates for Riesling wine are in Germany, Austria, and the Alsace region of France. In these places, Riesling wine can be dazzling, with intense mineral and peach flavors and breathtaking clarity and transparency. Red Wine Compound May Extend Life Good news! A recent study suggested that resveratrol, a red wine compound, may extend our life.The study was conducted on fries and worms to see if resveratrol can extend life in these creatures. The Harmony between Wine and Food Wine is a social drink which should be enjoyed in the company of friends and .. Pairing Beer With Food Pairing beer with the fine cuisine has recently come to the attention of many eating establishments as they try to cater to the 90's micro-brew crowd. No longer is wine considered the only drink fit for a succulent entree. The Ten Most Important Wine Label Terms For the average wine consumer, there is a plethora of intimidation associated with wine buying. This is a feeling that is most often associated with not understanding wine labels. Choosing a Wine Gift Basket During the holiday season, most of us are in a frantic search for presents for loved ones and friends. Next time, instead of the usual hassle of selecting a gift which will suit him or her, try sending a wine gift basket instead. The Mystery of Decanting Decanting is a strange word to many people. Some do not even know what it means exactly. Using Cooking Wine Cooking wine is sort of a holdover from prohibition. People who grew up thinking Alcohol is Evil didn't want to have any in their homes. The Old Fashioned: Two Recipes of an Underrated Classic Like many mixed drinks, the Old Fashioned has a number of variations and a history.It is one of the few cocktails that survived from the days of the Martini and the Manhattan. Uses of Mirror Tinted Contact Lenses Mirror tinted contact lenses have become a topic of interest among many Americans. This is because the market for crazy contact lenses has continued to grow and be popular, so, as a result, contact companies are continually faced with making the next best thing. Wine and Your Health During the 1990s, a physician voiced on a national TV show that drinking red wine reduces heart disease. It made all the headlines. Barbera Wine Barbera is a wine grape variety from Monferrato in Piemonte, Italy. Babera produces an intense red wine with deep color, low tannins and high acid and is used in California to provide "backbone" for so-called "jug wines". An Idiots Guide To Wine Tasting Have you ever seen those stiff upper-lipped types doing a spot of the old wine tasting malarkey? You know the form - sip, swill, spit. Yuck! Well this information has been written to help you understand the form should you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to know what to do. Merlot Wine Merlot wine is a rich, soft wine with the flavor of blackberries, beloved because it is seldom harsh and not as acidic as a Cabernet Sauvignon with which it is often blended. Merlot wine has the added advantage of being rich and supple but only moderately tannic and, therefore, wonderfully drinkable from early on. Choosing that Perfect Wine for a Dinner Party So, you find yourself having been invited to a dinner party and decided to bring the host a bottle of wine. But which type of wine should you buy? I am sure you have seen people seemingly bewildered in front of the wine shelves at the local grocery or liquor store. A Private Owners Guide to Bottling Fine Whisky The majority of private owners of whisky casks are looking for an assessment of their options. The purpose of this article is to help answer questions that private owners may have about bottling their whisky casks. White Zinfandel Wine White Zinfandel wine is a blush wine made in California from early-picked Zinfandel grapes. The red grapes are quickly separated from their skins during crushing and fermentation so that the resulting White Zinfandel wine is very light pink; thus White Zinfandel wines have far less color, alcohol and flavors than normally fermented Zinfandels. Chablis Wine Chablis is thought to have originated in northern Spain and grows well in a 'Mediterranean' climate. As a result, it is widely grown in many of the countries that border the Mediterranean Sea including France, Italy, Spain, and Algeria.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
