Wine Entertaining Ideas - Class in a Glass

by Sandi Marques, Accredited Sommelier

With Christmas just behind us, memories of Christmas abound...the first snowfall, decorating the tree, Santa and his reindeer and mostly importantly the ever daunting task of cocktail parties, Christmas parties and celebrations with wine.

For those of you that enjoy a glass but know very little about its wine-iquette, here is a quick piece on Class in a Glass, neophyte style.

• Always offer a non-alcoholic choice - for obvious reasons
• Always have two wine choices (any combination red and white or two whites or two reds). Just be sure that your two reds or two whites are opposites in taste i.e., a classic mineral, citrus chardonnay with an oaky, buttery, toasty chardonnay vs. a big, bold fruit forward shiraz and the quiet, subdued nuances of a gamay (from the region of Beaujolais)
• Always chill your whites ahead of time. The fastest way is not in your freezer but instead fill your sink or bucket 1/3 with water with two scoops of ice. Your wine will be chilled in record time! But not too cold, or you won't taste the finer characteristics of the wine.
• Want to try a different wine but not sure what to pick? Subscribe to my newsletter - I give great suggestions on wine with tasting notes at Cork and Karma. Or go online and visit your local wine merchant or government agency in your province. Many of these sites will allow you to do a search and the wines will have a 'descriptive record' that will give you a hint as to what's in the bottle.
• Buy those cute wine glass charms -- they work and it's a great way to keep others' greasy lips off your glass.
• Use the right wine glass - narrower glasses for whites (not to be confused with the champagne flute) and wider, bowl shaped glasses for reds. Here's a great glassware resource for you: www.digsmagazine.com.
• Pour wine into a glass until just below the widest area of the glass. Contrary to popular belief, you should not be filling the glass right to the rim.
• Always ask your guest if they like the wine - so simple yet so overlooked. For courtesy's sake, if they don't, offer them something else.
• Always hold a wine glass by the stem and not the bowl. The heat from your hand affects the temperature of the wine - which will affect the taste.
• Wine is only as good as the company it keeps. Be sure to invite those that will appreciate your culinary and wine-giving hospitality - 'those that give, gain' or 'mi casa es su casa'.

Cheers!

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