Are You Planning A Wine and Cheese Party?
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Filed under Food and Wine
Planning a wine and cheese party might be a really fun way to have all your friends and family get together and enjoy a good time in your home. Picking a theme for your party may make it easier to plan your party. When picking a theme you want to decide if you want to make your whole party to focus on wines and cheeses around the world or just local wines. Let’s say you want to focus on wines from around the world.
When it comes to the selection of wines that you are going to include in your party there are a few things you need to take into consideration. You want to alternate between red wines, white wines and sparkling wines between each guest so that everyone gets to taste all the different types of wines. If you decided to have your guest’s research a place from where the wine came from, you might want to have them bring a decoration representing the place they studied.
Glasses For Your Wines
The first thing to do when your guests arrive is to supply them with glasses for the different types of wines, including red wine, white wine and Champagne flutes for the sparkling wine. You will also need to have at least one ice bucket and wine cooler available. Make sure that your cheese and crackers are presentable and have a cheese cutter and a knife on hand to spread the cheese. It would be more convenient to have the hard cheese already cut into cubes or squares. The cheese cutter is ideal for the softer cheeses. Another great snack to serve at your wine and cheese party is fruits and nuts, which also pair well with the wine.
Cheese Knives and Wine Accessories
Along with the cheese cutter and knife, you want to provide plenty of tooth picks. It would be a good idea to provide bottled water, so that your guests can rinse their mouths after each wine tasting. To be even more organized it would be a good idea to set up your patio, or area that you are hosting the party in, into sections for each type of wine.
If you don’t have to worry about your budget when it comes to planning your wine and cheese party, you can go all out and hire a waiter. If this is not in your budget, a mobile wine cart will suffice quite nicely for moving the wines around the room. You may also want to give your guests wine adornments. These little accessories attach to the stem of your wine glass and allow your guests to identify their wine glasses.
When Is Your Next Wine and Cheese Party?
All you need are some good wine and cheeses to help you make your wine and cheese party a huge success that will have all your guests asking you when will you be having another one.
More Uncommon Red Wines and White Wines
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Filed under Types of Wine
Norton Wine
One of the more uncommon but interesting wines is the Norton wine. In 1835, Dr. Daniel Norton of Virginia developed this variety of grapes that was originally known as the Virginia Seedling. It is widely planted in the Midwest where it is sometimes called Cynthiana and produces a dark, inky wine with plum and cherry flavoring. Horton Vineyards in Virginia is particularly interested in reviving the grape’s reputation.
Muscadine Wine
Another rare but interesting wine is the Muscadine wine. It was first discovered by European explorers, who found Native American vines growing along the low-lying southern coastal regions. Most Muscadine wines (red and white) are blends, usually given proprietary names by the winery (e.g., “Vintners’ Blend”), and vinified in a sweet or semisweet style. Muscadine and its blends have a unique wild and musky aroma and flavor.
Centurion Wine
Centurion is an uncommon wine that hasn’t yet seen widespread acceptance. This wine was developed at the U.C. Davis campus by crossing Cabernet Sauvignon, with Grenache and Carignane. The intention was to produce a Cabernet-like wine which could be grown in the relatively hot Central Valley. Even with its limited exposure to wine lovers, is a definite improvement over traditional Central Valley varieties.
Roussanne
Roussanne probably gets its name from the light-brownish russet cast of its ripe berries. The aroma is not as overtly fruity as some types and can suggest wild flowers or herbal tea. Unlike most white wines, Roussanne ages very well due to its unusual combination of richness and crisp acids.
Marsanne
Marsanne, this wine sometimes uses Roussane as a blending partner. It makes wines that are medium dry, full bodied and very rich in flavor with notes of spice and pear. It is a very deep-colored wine that is fairly full bodied to the point of being described sometimes as waxy. These wines may be uncommon but they are all excellent wines in their own right. I’m sure you will appreciate their fine tastes.
