Libation
“Wine is sunlight held together by water” – Galileo
It is not necessary to have a full bar. I typically have both white and red wine, beer in the fridge and either some sparkling champagne or the ingredients for a simple cocktail. Of course, if one of my guests is a regular scotch or other liquor drinker I will have this on hand as well. Keep at least one bottle of white out (I put it right in the ice bucket) and a bottle or two of red. The back-up white should be kept chilled in the fridge. Place the ice bucket on a small plate to collect condensation and set out either tongs or a spoon for the ice. Leave a corkscrew on the bar so guests can feel free to help themselves. Have sparkling water on hand along with lemons and limes. Place regular tap water with ice and lemon in a carafe or pitcher and set out on the “bar.”
I try to have a good stock of red and white wine on hand in my “wine cellar” (front hall closet) at all times. For a cocktail party of 2-3 hours in length have at least a bottle of wine for every two people. Again, use your knowledge of your guest’s preferences and consumption abilities when planning. Fortunately, in New York City, back-up is just usually a block or so away. If your guests bring wine set this out on your bar, even if you are tempted to whisk it away and save for your exclusive consumption.
In order to keep out of the kitchen, set out at least two glasses per person. This will allow for your guest to switch drinks if they so desire. The glasses certainly don’t need to match but they should be in sets. Everyone has different preferences when it comes to their vessels of choice; I set out a mix of either traditional stemware, or goblets for wine as well as tumblers.
Wines for Every Occasion
There is often no pleasure simpler than a glass of wine. Whether enjoyed by yourself or with friends, these selections are balanced enough to appeal to most palates and priced to appeal to most budgets.
White
~ La Crema Chardonnay ($20)
Clean minerality with ripe fruit flavors
~ Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Gris ($16)
Bright, fruity and crisp with young pear and grapefruit
~ Pascal Jolivet Sancerre ($23)
Very clean with notes of lime peel and green herbs
~ Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc ($15)
Zesty and aromatic with lively fruit
~ Rodney Strong Charlotte’s Home Sauvignon Blanc ($15)
Crisp and melony
Sparkling
~ Mumm Napa ($15)
Medium-bodied with touches of vanilla and melon
Red
~ Bogle Vineyards California Petite Sirah ($11)
Powerful and peppery
~ Jed Steele Carneros Pinot Noir ($20)
High-tone fruit flavors and black cherry aroma
~ Melville Estate Pinot Noir ($28)
Rich aromas of ripe red cherries, raspberries and plumb
~ Pepperwood Grove Pinot Noir ($12)
Delicate with fresh strawberry and cherry fruit
~ Smoking Loon Pinot Noir ($12)
Ripe cherry and strawberry flavors
~ Ravenswood Barricia Vineyard Red Zinfandel ($22)
Spicy bouquet of raspberry and boysenberry