Hosting your loved ones for a wine night can be just as challenging as it is fun. Alas, there’s more to it than presenting your guests with a few bottles of wine to make the night a memorable one. From activities to food, there’s plenty to plan for a wine-tacular
night.
Setting the Mood with Fun
The success of a wine night hinges on several aspects, one of them being the activities you offer to your guests. The options should be things that are both enjoyable and that go with the vibe you’re going for.
For instance, when thinking of wine, our mind automatically correlates this beverage with fancy places like casino establishments. Both the drink and the games tend to evoke a sense of elegance and leisure, making them a perfect match for your event.
So, what should you pick? Well, why not bring casino games to your home event? Thanks to online casinos, you and your guests can benefit from access to a vast library of casino games for real money, or even try them out in practice mode. These will range from fast paced slots like Crypt of Giza to strategy-based card games like poker.
Plus, with this kind of setup, you won’t have to deal with any bickering over which game to pick. Everyone can explore their favorite option! Parallel play has often been touted as a great way to spend quality time without being overly demanding or intrusive.
After all, this kind of setup is perfect for letting guests engage at their own pace while still feeling like they’re part of the group… That’s especially true when considering the fact that most of the games will let your guests play and converse simultaneously, all
the while enjoying their wine and food.
You might be worried about being able to provide all of your guests with a device to play these games on. However, fret not, as these games are cross-platform compatible, meaning that they are also playable on smartphones. Just make sure to have enoughchargers should your guests need them… which they may if they’re having a lot of fun!
Easy and Tasty Snacks
One of the most crucial ingredients to a great night with loved ones is figuring out the right menu to offer. For optimal convenience, we’d highly suggest making this in advance so you can enjoy your night and not just play host for hours. Here, hassle-free and easy finger foods will be your best friend.
For instance, you could serve your guests burrata and prosciutto toast. Start by slicing some fresh sourdough bread before toasting it in olive oil. Then, place burrata atop each slice, spreading it evenly and then topping it with a few slices of prosciutto.
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Finish it off with salt and pepper before adding basil and a healthy drizzle of hot honey. Creamy, crunchy, and savory – it will make for the perfect accompaniment to your wine night. While it is exceptionally easy to make, it will be a surefire way to wow your guests.
Alternatively, you can never go wrong with a charcuterie board. Start by placing a selection of cheeses; usually, you should have one sharp, like mature cheddar; one creamy (brie comes to mind here); and one funky cheese, such as a lovely gorgonzola. As to your meats, we’d go for options like salami, bresaola, and chorizo for spice lovers.
Finish this board off by adding some much-needed carbs, like olive crackers or rosemary focaccia. Then, fill in all the empty spots with nuts and dried fruits, along with a range of chutneys and honey, for a sweet-salty combo.
Don’t forget about dessert; a sweet treat can be the perfect way to end the meal. Cakes are a super good option. Easy to bake but great to look at, they can give the impression that you’ve slaved in the kitchen for hours. Here, we’d go for a crowd-pleaser like a
decadent dark chocolate cake.
This will pair beautifully with any reds – so keep this in mind when you’re picking your wines. And if you’re worried about how to pair the rest of your options… well, we’ll give you a simple guide on wine pairing next.
Wine Pairing Made Simple
Wine pairing can seem exceptionally daunting; after all, there’s a whole profession where people focus on creating the best pairings. However, there are some simple tips to make this easier, even if you aren’t a connoisseur.
One useful tidbit of information is that the wine’s color can often suggest what it pairs best with. For example, red wines are great with red pasta sauces, while white wines work better with creamy sauces. Of course, that’s far from the only interesting thing to
note about this world-famous drink.
Apart from this, consider the basic description of your wine selections. A crisp wine like Pinot Grigio? Best enjoyed with something fresh, such as a salad. On the other hand, full-bodied options such as Merlot are ideal for richer meals such as stews. And a sweet wine will be more suitable for dessert, with a great example being a bottle of Moscato d’Asti.
Conclusion
Planning a wine night doesn’t have to be overly complicated; you just need to have the right activities, food, and, last but not least, some great wine. But arguably the most important aspect that we’ve failed to mention above is that you should be in great company. So, gather your friends, and get ready for a night to remember.