People who hit a certain age oftentimes outgrow big house parties or bar hopping. Most of them prefer to get together in smaller groups. They would generally choose to hang out at home or the home of their closest buddies or family members. Mini parties are far from boring, especially with good food and excellent wine. Gather great wine-loving individuals for the small party concepts coming up next.
Get Geared Up
Just before you start declaring your home as the designated party venue:
- Make sure your home is always prepared.
- Stock on supplies like glassware, cheese boards, and cutlery. Since you will be setting the table often, plan on getting unscented candles, low centerpieces you can reuse and embellish, etc.
- Remember to get chillers and wine buckets to keep your drink of choice always cold.
Party Ideas with Wine
Everywhere there is wine feels like a celebration. So no matter if four or ten people share bottles of wine, these small parties will constantly feel fun. Be it red or white, French or Spanish wines, these party ideas will always be a hit.
Intimate and Swanky Dinners
Have some earthy, fruity, spiced Burgundy wine and pair it with a charcuterie board. Bring out mild cheeses as a start for a more decadent dinner. Since we are talking about intimate and swanky, choice meats, like a rack of lamb that has been oven roasted or slow-cooked, are outstanding options. As a host, get things all set before the first guest comes, and remember to sit down and join the discussion around a candle-lit table.
Favorite Food-Themed Potluck
Ask everyone to bring their favorite homemade dishes. Your good friends might even be competitive if they bring the same dish. Get everybody to select which dishes should be the focus dish, and make everybody bring the same type of wine. You can have a range of similar wines perfect for an impromptu wine tasting.
Pizza Take-out or Last Minute Plans
Unplanned parties are the best. Work promotions and other impromptu events can be celebrated with champagne or Chardonnay wine. Serve pizza, salad, or Chinese take-out on real plates for a more sophisticated table setting.
Dessert on the Spotlight
Feast on a light meal and focus on the dessert. You and your buddies can have a theme, whether you want decadent, intense chocolate desserts or something light like fluffy cheesecakes or frosted cream cakes. For chocolate desserts, a variety of French wines pair well. For light and tart desserts, sweet white wine or Chardonnay will do the trick.
Making Things More Interesting
Even for a small party, purchasing wine in bulk is still a great tip. Check for wine stores that can give you great in-store and online offers, either on mixed cases or by bottle. If you wish to have some party games, you can also give out some bottles as prizes.
Remember Wine Pairing Rules
Tried and true methods usually bring out very good food and wine pairings. Typically, red wines are coupled with boldly flavored meats, like steak and lamb. White wines are coupled with low-intensity meats like fish or poultry. Nevertheless, the more you and your friends learn about wines, you can start making your own rules. The only rule to bear in mind is to enjoy good food, great wine, and fantastic company.