Question: What are you doing for New Year’s?
Answer: Having a bunch of friends over for a champagne tasting party.
Response: Why didn’t I think of that? Great idea!
Here’s how to pull it off.
Bubbles
Select 6-12 different bottles of champagne or sparkling wine, depending on the number of guests and how many varietals you want to taste; each bottle will pour around five glasses for an average serving, and about 12 glasses for a tasting serving.
Choose labels from different areas of the world, however, if it’s not from the Champagne region of France, it is technically sparkling wine. Varying up the regional selections will allow for a larger option of varietals to choose from.
Bites
Throwing a champagne party also means rolling out some finger foods for guests. Fried food, white cheese and dark chocolate all go great with bubbles.
Pair plain crackers or chips with caviar and Prosecco, dark chocolate brownies with a demi-sec and fried popcorn shrimp with a brut.
Cut up strawberries, apples and kiwi to pass around as well. If time is short, cut up an assortment of white cheeses to serve with crackers, and place serving bowls of dark chocolate candies throughout the room.
Our tip: polish off a great idea with a sensational invitation, like this one found at etsy.com.
Oh. And don’t just think “New Year’s Eve.” Think about this as a party idea any time of the year. Hey, our birthday is right around the corner. Hint. Hint.