Entertaining in the comfort of home is not only a great way to save money in these uncertain economic times, but also to indulge in more of what you love most: good food, friends and wine, of course. You're not limited to a restaurant menu, set-up or wine list; at home it's all about you and your style.
I love hosting. Dinners, wine tastings, brunches – any occasion will do. And being a wine enthusiast, vino is one of the most important elements of my entertaining equation. So I thought I would share a few of my secrets for being party prepared.
1. Always have a variety of wines on hand.
I like to have a few bottles of Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and something special like a Canadian Icewine or Chilean Carmenere ready to open and share.
2. Invest in a wine cooler or cellar.
Having proper wine storage allows you to always have four to eight bottles chilled and ready to serve without sacrificing valuable space in your fridge. If you don't have the space (or budget) for a cellar, you can find small wine coolers that hold as few as seven bottles. Another option is to rent cellar space with a company such as Fine Wine Reserve in Toronto.
Tip: Serve white and rose wines at 6-12 degrees Celsius; reds at 15-18. This will bring out the flavours of the wine and subdue the alcohol.
3. Make a statement with beautiful glassware.
While there is a unique glass for every unique wine, chances are you don't have room to store them all. Instead, invest in a durable and modern-classic set. Riedel has an amazing “O” line with some great options for small spaces. Bonus: They're dishwasher safe. You can also find some good quality glasses at stores like Winners, Vineyards Estate Wines, Aisle 43 and even Costco.
I hope you enjoy the winter season relaxing at home sharing a special bottle (or two) with good friends.
Cheers,
Ange
Angela Aiello is a wine specialist and co-founder of the iYellow Wine Club. To learn more about the Club, share feedback or ask a question, visit www.iyellowwineclub.com. Angela Aiello and Paxton Allewell's wine column can be read every Thursday on www.sweethome.ca/national/wine