How to: Throw a Wine Tasting

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From The Big Basket Blog                               

A wine tasting offers a lot of variation to match your own unique style. Whether you’re looking for a casual party with friends or an elegant soiree, a wine tasting will give your next party the fun you’ve been looking for! Wine tastings are fun and classy ways to entertain friends and learn something new, but most of us are not wine experts. Here are some tips and tricks to help you throw your own successful wine tasting party:

Party Theme: Your first decision is what kind of wine tasting you would like to throw. You could focus on white or red wines, wines from a particular region, or wines from a particular winemaker. Whatever you choose, having a theme will help concentrate your wine choices, making your party decisions easier.

Wine Pairings: The best part of a tasting is the tasty appetizers that go together with the wine. How could you go wrong serving delicious cheeses, fruits, and desserts? Once you have your wine selection picked out, you can decide which mouth-watering pairings you’d like to serve. Check out this chart to see which cheeses and appetizers pair nicely with particular wines:


The Tasting: Want your guests to think you’re a pro? Just remember these five steps to tasting wine:

1. See- Observe both the color and clarity of the wine by holding up the glass in a well-lighted room. White wines gain color as they age, while red wines lose color and start to turn brown.
2. Swirl- By swirling your wine in the glass, you expose it to a larger surface area which helps to bring out the flavors.
3. Smell- The common aromas of wine include fruits, flowers, spices, and herbs. There are hundreds of different smells in wine- see which ones your nose can detect!
4. Sip- (Finally, the best part!) Roll the wine across all of your taste buds. Since your tongue is designed to taste different things, rolling it around will help you to taste all of the flavors your wine has to offer.
5. Swallow- Make sure to note the aftertaste of the wine. Good wines tend to have finishes that last longer.

*Make sure you and your guests take notes on the different wines they taste so that they remember what they liked or what they didn’t.

A Fun Twist: For a little more entertainment at your party, try hiding the names of wine or cheeses from your guests and have them guess the types of wine based on their tasting. You can even turn it into a contest with prizes for added fun!

With a little creativity, you’ll have everyone thinking you’re a wine professional and a terrific entertainer!

Drink to End the Summer With

Drinks to End the Summer With

Entertainment 

 

From the Big Basket Blog                               

It’s almost that time of year again – the weather cools off, the colors start to change, and the summer winds down to a bittersweet close. To send off the summer and celebrate all the new memories made, what could be more fitting than having an ice cold cocktail with loved ones? I know what you’re thinking – mixed drinks can be intimidating for those of us who don’t have a fully stocked bar or have never dabbled in the art of mixed drinks. But have no fear – I’ve prepared some refreshing mixed drink recipes for you to end the summer with that are so easy to make, even a caveman could do it!

MargaritaA classic favorite, margaritas are one of the most common and loved drinks of summer. Check out our recipe video below for step-by-step instructions!

Margarita

¼ cup kosher salt (optional)

1 lime wedge (optional)

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

2 heaping teaspoons superfine sugar

1 tablespoon triple sec orange liqueur

¼ cup reposado tequila (try Patron Reposado)

Approximately 2 cups ice cubes

Serves 1

Directions:Start by preparing your glass if want a salted rim. Personally, I prefer my margaritas without the salt, but that’s completely up to your preference! To line the rim with salt, you’ll first want to spread the salt out on a small plate. Rub the lime wedge around the rim, and then dip the rim into the salt. Set the glass aside for now.
Next, stir the lime juice and sugar together in a cocktail shaker, until the sugar partially dissolves. Add the triple sec orange liqueur, tequila, and 1 cup of ice cubes. Shake vigorously for 25-30 seconds, and then strain into your glass. Fill the glass with the remaining ice cubes.

Tequila SunriseTequila Sunrises are a quick and easy cocktail to cool off with.

Tequila Sunrise

4 cups orange juice

2 cups tequila

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons pomegranate juice

Serves 6

Directions:Start by combining orange juice and tequila in a large pitcher. Next, get 6 glasses and place 3 tablespoons of pomegranate juice in each glass. Top with ice, then tequila mixture. Stir just before drinking.

Blushing MimosaA colorful – and flavorful – twist on the classic brunch favorite, mimosas.

Blushing Mimosa

2 cups orange juice (not from concentrate)

1 cup pineapple juice, chilled

2 tablespoons grenadine

1 (750 milliliter) bottle Champagne or sparkling wine, chilled

Serves 6

Directions:
First, stir together the orange juice, pineapple juice, and grenadine. Next, fill champagne flutes half-way with champagne. Top with orange juice mixture and serve.

These drinks will cool you down when you just can’t bear the end-of-summer heat anymore. Invite your friends over and try one of these yummy drink mixes this weekend! And remember, always drink responsibly

Stay on Budget for your Next Party

How to: Stay on Budget for your Next Party

-From Longaberger.com

     So you’re in the midst of party preparations – the invitations are sent, the theme is set – but you’re perilously over your budget. Panicking does no good and notably cuts the fun of throwing a  party in the first place. Instead, sit down and re-examine your priorities.

Substitute

Don’t sacrifice style to save money. Instead, re-work your creative ideas to make them suit your budget. Trade out a shrimp cocktail appetizer for a Caesar salad garnished with shrimp.

Let friends be friends

If they volunteer to bring dessert or a veggie tray, let them! That’s what friends are for!

Be your own florist

Floral arrangements can make a significant dent in your overall party budget, so do it yourself! Arrange your favorite grocery store flowers, or mingle daisies with greens from your own yard. Not only will you save money, but you will also create a one-of-a kind arrangement.

Borrow what you don’t have

Plan your menu early on to give yourself plenty of time to round up baskets, platters, tablecloths, extra silverware, chairs, and whatever else your party requires.

Buy in bulk

Whether you’re planning a large-scale shindig or a casual get-together, it’s worth your while to purchase items such as paper products, ice, beverages, and other food items at discount warehouse stores. The cost per unit is often much lower; just make sure to only buy items you’ll be able to use without waste.

There’s no party like a Longaberger Party!