One of our family’s major gatherings has always been the 4th of July. Lately we have been lucky to see it expand from a three day weekend to a weeklong affair. Lots of fun, family, food, and festivities. The planning has been in the works for weeks if not months. One of my assignments is always to have some fun with our wines. This year is no different and I have just completed my nightly wine themes.
This year we will have eleven folks for 8 nights to entertain with wine so I’ve been having lots of fun coming up with this year’s ideas.
So, in case you are looking for some fun ideas of ways to entertain with wine I thought I’d share them.
Here is our list:
1. Red Blend Night: With our extended family it makes no difference what the food nor what the summer weather, red wine is going to be served. Before the meal, with the meal, and after the meal. So one night we will feature a Red Blend Night. A great way to explain the differences in red blends, too.
2. Vertical Night: One of my early ‘ah-ha’ wine moments was when our daughter and I happened to open two bottles of the same wine, but from different vintages one night. We did it accidently and it was an amazing eye-opener. I haven’t picked the wine yet, but this night will be either a 3 or 4 year vertical.
3. Have You Had This Varietal Night: Not everyone has sipped some of the varietals we have in our cellar. So this year I typed up a list of them. Then I’ll conduct a quick poll to find the least tasted and provide those for the evening’s sipping.
4. A Night of Bubbles: Everyone loves bubbles and we are lucky to have laid in a few extras and new types this year. I’ll watch the weather forecasts and on the night it is forecast to be the warmest, we’ll uncork the bubbles for our enjoyment.
5. Family Favorites Night: In advance of the holiday I sent an email asking each adult coming to name their personal favorite wine I have uncorked for them. If I have them up each here those will be the night’s wines! Then, to add a bit more fun, we’ll task each person in the group to identify which wine was whose favorite it is.
6. Pick a Magnum Night: We’re lucky to have about a dozen magnums so one night we’ll draw cards to see who the lucky winner is. They will be the one who gets to pick whichever magnum they want to bring to the table. If we drain it, we’ll put this one on repeat.
7. Mountain vs. Valley Floor Night: One night I’ll bring out similar wines, with a bottle from a mountain winery and a valley floor winery. Perhaps it will be two bottles of Merlot and two of Cabernet. Should be a fun, although potentially subtle, learning experience for everyone.
8. Wineries You Might Not Know Night: This evening will be my favorite since I get to talk about wine a bit more than I normally do. A lot of our wines are from lesser known, small, family owned wineries and this night they will be the stars. I’ll not only pour, but also educate about these, several of which are my personal favorites!
Happy 4th of July and may your fireworks be gorgeous and your wines delicious!