Finding the perfect party pour
With spring on its way, start leaving winter behind by planning a big event for warmer times
In this seemingly never-ending winter, you may be frozen in hibernation mode. But don’t despair, spring is around the corner. Meanwhile, there is no better time to start planning a major event for warmer weather. Whether you are planning a wedding reception, organizing a family reunion or throwing a birthday bash, choosing the wine carefully will definitely elevate the occasion. Here are some tips to steer you in the right direction.
Go large
A gathering of more than about 50 people (suggesting this because major and bash were used, and this detail helps qualify what kind of parties we’re talking about) requires cases as opposed to bottles of wine, so choose wines available in large quantities. Each wine’s product page on the LCBO website reveals how many bottles are stocked in each store. General List or Vintages Essential wines are always available and can be purchased online. And if you’re buying wine through an agent or a local winery, confirm they have the amount you require before placing the order — remembering to ask if they’ll waive shipping or delivery fees, because some will.
Pick a crowd-pleaser
Love-it-or-hate-it styles can be total killjoys.
Aunt Betsie might love supersweet Rieslings and cousin Joe may be obsessed with big, tannic reds that taste as tough as old boots, but extreme styles can turn off many guests.
It’s the same for heavily wooded wines and those with alcohol levels over 14.5 per cent. Ideally, aim for styles that please the masses and go with almost anything food-wise.
These include light crisp whites, juicy reds, dry sparklings and dry or off-dry rosés.
Diversify and dig the underdogs To stay within budget without compromising good taste, pick wines that are undervalued. Most parties require a red and a white. But don’t discount sparkling wines, which can add elegance to any occasion that serve finger foods — not just weddings. Outdoor events always do well with the addition of an easy-drinking rosé, too.
How to choose each wine Whites
White party wines should be restrained, light-bodied and crisp styles that don’t call a lot of attention to themselves, but discreetly elevate the mood, the moment and the taste of whatever canapés or dishes are being served. Soave, Orvieto, Pinot Grigio, Chenin Blanc and unwooded Chardonnay all fit the bill. To choose a lighter-bodied wine, check the alcohol level noted on the label. Shoot for about 12.5 per cent or less.
Reds
The red wine should be classic in style, medium-bodied and velvety. Cabernet Sauvignon is the obvious choice, but there are plenty of excellent sub-$20 bottles of Merlot, Syrah and red blends on shelves that would work too. Regardless of what wine you select, make sure the alcohol doesn’t exceed about 13.5 per cent so the wine won’t be too full-bodied, which ratchets down the refreshment factor and can obliterate food flavours.
Sparkling wines
If you’re on a budget, go with good quality Cava or Prosecco. Fine examples of both can be found for less than $16. Either NV Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Cava (LCBO 216960, $15.45, 91+ pts.) or NV Bottega dei Poeti Prosecco DOC (LCBO 897702, $14.95, 90 pts.) are solid choices.
If you’re working within a bigger budget, think Cremant, which is a sparking wine made in France outside of the Champagne region. Like champagne, it undergoes a second fermentation in bottle, which adds complexity and thus is more interesting.
Basically, it drinks like a better quality wine. NV Paul Delane Cremant de Bourgogne Reserve (LCBO 214981, $20.40, 92 pts.) is an excellent choice.
And if you’re dropping serious coin on champagne, you have many options. I would proudly pour NV Pol Roger Brut (LCBO 217158, $67.45, 92 pts.), NV Taittinger Brut Reserve (LCBO 365312, $61.95, 94 pts.) or NV Gardet Cuvee Saint Flavy Tradition Brut (Vintages Essential 924654, $42.95, 91 pts).
Rosés
If you’re throwing a spring or summer outdoor party such as a lakeside wedding, garden party or backyard birthday or barbecue, serve a dry or off-dry rosé. These wines offer easy refreshment and call to mind the beaches of the Côte d’Azur, the tapas bars of Spain and the boardwalk eateries of California — they definitely add a stylish touch. The bone dry and elegant 2016 Ogier Cotes du Ventoux Rosé (LCBO 134916, $13.95, 91 pts.) is always a smart choice. Or if you’d like a kiss of sweetness, consider 2016 Beringer White Zinfandel (LCBO 239756, $11, 88 pts.).
How much wine do you need?
To determine how much red and white wine you need for a party, estimate each guest will have two glasses in the first hour and one glass for every hour after that. So if you’re planning a four-hour party, plan five glasses of wine per guest. Then multiply the number by how many guests you’ll expect to determine how many glasses of wine you should have on hand.
Each 750 mL bottle of wine contains about five 150-mL (5 oz.) servings, so divide the total number of glasses you need by five to determine the number of bottles you’ll need.
Once you have the bottle count, split the total between the red and the white wine then buy a bit extra, just in case.
For sparkling and rosé wine, calculate two glasses per person. Then have some extra on hand. Keep in mind a 750 mL bottle of sparkling contains about six 125 mL (4 oz.) servings.
So divide the total number of glasses required by six to determine the bottle count. Save the receipt and return any leftover unopened bottles to the store. The LCBO told me “customers can return any product that is unopened and in saleable condition if it’s accompanied by the original receipt within 30 days of purchase.” If you’re buying elsewhere, inquire about the return policy before shopping.