Celebrate Good Times!
We love parties. We love gatherings, shindigs, celebrations, soirées, galas, balls, and events of all kinds. And we love to help you plan for these august occasions. Here’s how to get ready for your throw-down!
Try these wines at your next gathering: (l to r) Perrin Cotes du Rhone Rouge and Cotes du Rhone Blanc are the “go-tos”. Laurent Perrier, for the money, cannot be beat. For mixing we suggest a lower sugar Prosecco, like the Ostro. And, Castellar Cava is our go-to Cava for the party on a budget.
The Dilemma of Bubbles and Sugar:
The bubbly tends to be used for three main purposes; mixing, such as mimosa, sipping and toasting, and proper celebrations.
1. Mixing: Prosecco is the most popular bubbly for mixing. The concern we often see is that folks are (rightly) concerned with the sugar content. If you are adding orange juice, cranberry juice, etc. you are likely adding something with a decent sugar content. We like to suggest a lower sugar Prosecco, like the Ostro.
2. Cava is the best option for sipping and toasting. It is also a great option for mixing, as the production method is more like true Champagne. Cava bubbles, like Champagne bubbles, are finer and tighter, as opposed to the frothier style of Prosecco. Castellar Cava is our go-to Cava for the event budget.
3. Champagne. Champagne, Champagne, Champagne. Certain situations merit the real deal. The bigger the occasion, the more necessary the Champagne. Champagne starts “reasonable” and goes to mortgage payment territory quickly. Laurent Perrier, for the money, cannot be beat.
High School Algebra:
In the esteemed words of Douglas Adams, “Don’t Panic.” One of the first things we learned in high school algebra is this; the more variables there are, the harder it is to solve the equation. We like to keep it simple, when possible.
The Red – Keep it simple. Perrin Cotes du Rhone Rouge is the “go to” red wine. It is versatile, great value, very food friendly, and it is a screwcap (more on this later.) Lots of wine for a crowd? Can’t beat it.
The White – Second verse, same as the first. The Perrin family also crafts a Cotes du Rhone Blanc. Just as above, it is versatile, great value, very food friendly, and it is a screwcap.
Beer:
Unless you feel very strongly, we advocate cans. The technology for cans has improved greatly over the years. All the local craft breweries use cans now, as it provides a superior product. And just as above, limit your choices. Keep it down to two or three choices and relax!
Alternative Closures:
Box wines, screwcap wines, and other non-cork closures are ok. There may be some out-dated concerns about the reputation of screwcaps, but they are just that – out-dated. Given the choice, almost all winemakers would prefer screwcaps or (gasp!) boxed wines for wines consumed within a few years of production. So don’t be afraid to check with us on a screwcap or a (gasp!) boxed wine. The Vignes des Lumières Red has absolutely no business being as good as it is for the money. This is a great wine that just happens to come in a box.
By: Scott Atkinson, Wine Manager at Piggly Wiggly in Crestline. If you have questions email: satkinson@thepigbham.com
