Great Wine Tips For Attending Holiday Parties

You’re going to a holiday party and you all like wine, so naturally you want to take and drink wine at it.

But this isn’t quite the slam dunk it seems like, particularly if you are at a party with people you don’t know that well – hey, gotta make a good impression! – or those who are more wine savvy than yourself.

Well, not to worry, because PubClub.com has these great wine tips for attending and hosting holiday parties, courtesy of Discover California Wines.

Bring A Bottle Of Special Wine — Or Better Yet Two

Being a good guest is just as important as being a gracious host. In California wine country, that means bringing a bottle of something delicious to any holiday party or dinner.

If you’re not sure which wine to choose when picking up a bottle at the store — after all, California is home to more than 6,200 wineries and grows over 100 different grape varieties — here’s a pro tip: Look for labels that describe the wine’s appellation or vineyard of origin in detail. This is often a clue that the wine is something beyond an everyday selection.

If the wine is something you’d really like to try yourself, consider bringing two bottles: one to open at the party and the second for the host to enjoy on another occasion.

Wine & Food Paring Tips For Holiday Parties Hosts

For holiday party hosts who are serving food, California wine experts recommend three sure-fire, food-friendly wines to have on hand:

• Sparkling Wine: Bubbles aren’t just for toasting. Made in styles from fresh and bright to rich and complex to lightly sweet, California sparkling wines can pair beautifully with every course of a meal and all types of cuisine.
• A Light-Bodied Red: Wines that are lower in tannins, such as Pinot Noir and Grenache, tend to be especially versatile with food.
• Rosé: Many people think of pink wines as summer sippers, but they actually pair well with a wide variety of foods year ’round. California rosé ranges from dry and light to fuller-bodied and fruity, making it a great partner for all kinds of dishes.

Another approach is to serve wines in a variety of styles to pair with an array of dishes and guests’ preferences. For example, you might choose a crisp white, like California Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, as well as a fuller-bodied option such as California Viognier or Chardonnay. For reds, you might opt for a bolder wine, like California Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah, plus something more delicate, like Cinsault.

Know When To Chill The Wine

Many people serve white wines too cold and reds too warm. To make sure the wines are at their best, serve whites at 45° F-50° F, and reds at 55° F-65° F. Most refrigerators chill contents to around 37° F — too cold for wine — so remove whites from the refrigerator about a half hour before you plan to open them. For reds, it’s perfectly fine to pop them in the refrigerator for 10 minutes or so before serving.

Wine As A Gift

Here’s a really good tip. Rather than just give someone a bottle of wine, get them a gift card for an experience at the winery, such as a tour, an elevated tasting or even a wine-blending workshop. A membership to a wine club is a gift that keeps giving throughout the year. Another option is giving them a gift card for a wine company you know is very good. This way they can choose a bottle such as a Cardinale wine and know they are getting a good wine to enjoy in the comfort of their own home.