Top 5 wines to bring to a summer dinner party or as a gift
It has happened to so many of us, we are on our way to a house party and at the last minute remember we should bring something. In fact, to show up empty handed may be considered rude in some households. But what do we bring? Dessert? Home Decor? Wine? I usually go with wine (of course I do!). Wine is a great gift for a dinner party or even as a birthday or grab bag gift. But what kind of wine?
To the casual wine drinker, this can be a daunting decision. What do other people like? What if I the wrong one? What if the person doesn’t drink wine at all? Here are a few tricks and tips on choosing a gifting wine followed by my wine recommendations.
Tips and tricks:
- Don’t overthink it! There are so many wines out there that are very tasty and affordable. If the dinner host(hostess) doesn’t like it, wine is a very re-giftable item.
- Choose a Blend: Blends are a great way to satisfy a number of different wine preferences in one. They tend to be easier to drink for people who are not big wine drinkers yet still enjoyable to most avid winos. I sometimes find this difficult because I know that I like the heavier, drier wines but a lot of people don’t share this preference.
- Pick a cool name or label: This is how I started trying new wines…I would walk around the store looking at the names and labels of the wine. There are some fun ones out there! For example, around Halloween I picked up a bottle of Vampire and Carnivore. For a girls’ night I picked up a bottle of Little Black Dress. Some of these are actually really good wines. But it’s fun when you give a bottle of wine with a catchy or funny name. And, more importantly, if the wine completely sucks, you can just say you bought it for the name 🙂
- Account for the season: If you are going to a picnic in the middle of the summer and it’s hot and humid, a Cabernet is probably not the best choice (although some people may disagree). My rule of thumb is if it’s hot out, bring a chilled white wine or bubbly fruit wine. If it’s cold out and you are having dinner by a fireplace, I would suggest a “warmer” wine such as a Cabernet or Merlot.
And now, my top 5 suggested wines to give as a gift are:
***I want to start by saying that this list of wine is based on a very scientific experiment (***Sarcasm Font***) based off my opinion and the opinions of my two best friends over BBQ one night.
#5: Apothic White
This is a crisp and easy white wine blend that is best served chilled. It is perfect for summer sipping and pairs well with light seafood, chicken, and laughing with friends around the picnic table.
Notable is great white wine for those that like it a little more “serious”. A slightly drier wine with a bolder flavor. Best served chilled, this Chardonnay is great for guests that enjoy a good light yet dry alternative. Also pairs well with seafood and chicken and grilled veggies. A perfect wine to sip on the beach or by the pool.
Normally I would recommend red blends as the best table wines for the great unknown but Bread and Butter Pinot Noir has a great flavor while still being smooth and easy to sip. Pinot Noirs are great summer wines if you prefer red wine over white. A lighter red wine that pairs well with just about everything. A real crowd pleaser for sure!
#2: Starborough Sauvignon Blanc
This was a hidden gem that was brought to my attention by my best friend. The first thing you will notice with the Starborough Sauvignon Blanc is the incredible aroma. The moment you bring the glass to your lips, you are greeted with the gentle smell of summer floral arrangement which is then followed by the sweet and subtle hints of floral and fruit as you sip the wine. Great summer sipping wine! This wine would also make a great summer sangria with some fresh peaches, white grape juice, and mango rum. Best of all, it comes with a screw cap so you won’t even need to go looking for a cork screw 🙂
And my #1 recommendation for a table wine to bring to a summer dinner party or give as a gift is
#1: Apothic Red
I find myself recommending this wine to just about everyone! I will literally be walking around the local liquor store talking to confused wine shoppers about this wine. It is an easy sipping wine that pairs well with just about anything including a nice grilled steak or chicken. Is pasta on the menu? No problem, it goes great with pasta too! The Apothic Red has a great smooth yet bold flavor without being overpowering. It can please the light wine drinkers as well as the dry wine drinkers all in one bottle.
