MYTH: A formal toast is required when you serve wine at a holiday meal.
FACT: There's nothing formal about enjoying a holiday meal with family and friends, and a toast is always optional.
MYTH: Everything must look perfect and run flawlessly in order for your holiday entertaining to be considered successful.
FACT: Your company is grateful to be your guests and remember that some of the best party experiences are when things don't go exactly as planned. Just follow the mantra - don't cry over spilt wine.
MYTH: You must serve white wine with Turkey since it's white meat.
FACT: The great thing about a holiday Turkey is that both red and white wines match up well. white wine lovers will find that the rich flavor and supple texture of Chardonnay is great with Turkey and the trimmings. Lighter, fruity red wines such a Pinot Noir, or Beaujolais are also excellent matches. The best "rule," though, is that you should drink the wines you enjoy.
MYTH: It is not necessary to always RSVP to a holiday party.
FACT: Whether you are able to attend a party or not, if the invitation says RSVP, you should reply. The only time you wouldn't need to reply is if the invitation requests a response for regrets only and you are planning to attend.
MYTH: red wine should be drunk out of a larger, fuller red wine glass.
FACT: Just like any other type of wine, red wine can be enjoyed in any type of glass that you have on hand - even a tumbler will DO the trick.
MYTH: It is fashionable to show up late to a party.
FACT: Don't always assume that your host expects you to show up late to a party. The general rule of thumb is that if the invitation says to arrive by 8 p.m., plan to arrive within half the hour, unless specified on the invitation that it's an open house.
MYTH: You don't need to bring a gift to a party.
FACT: Never arrive empty handed. wine makes a great gift. Plenty of bottles cost between $10 and $20. And remember to wrap the wine in more than the paper bag you bought it in - many wine shops offer festive gift bags, or consider presenting the wine in a stocking, or tie an ornament around its neck.
MYTH: As a host, it's okay to start cleaning up before your guests leave.
FACT: Not true. This could make your guests feel like you are not enjoying their company or that you want the night to be over. As a host, it is important to make your guests feel welcome and appreciated by giving them your attention.
MYTH: You need to hire a bartender in order to serve drinks.
FACT: wine serves itself, and most guests prefer to make their own choices. Sampling is in. Offer a variety of wine options; this way you and your guests will have options.
MYTH: You need to spend a lot of money in order to entertain.
FACT: Not true. Entertaining can be as inexpensive or expensive as you choose. Again, your guests are just grateful to be entertained. To keep costs down, choose a variety of under $10 bottles of wine to fill your bar instead of spirits, mixers and other drinks, which can run up the tab.
Courtesy of wine Market Council. For more information, visit www.wineanswers.com.
Photos courtesy of wine Market Council.
FACT: There's nothing formal about enjoying a holiday meal with family and friends, and a toast is always optional.
MYTH: Everything must look perfect and run flawlessly in order for your holiday entertaining to be considered successful.
FACT: Your company is grateful to be your guests and remember that some of the best party experiences are when things don't go exactly as planned. Just follow the mantra - don't cry over spilt wine.
MYTH: You must serve white wine with Turkey since it's white meat.
FACT: The great thing about a holiday Turkey is that both red and white wines match up well. white wine lovers will find that the rich flavor and supple texture of Chardonnay is great with Turkey and the trimmings. Lighter, fruity red wines such a Pinot Noir, or Beaujolais are also excellent matches. The best "rule," though, is that you should drink the wines you enjoy.
MYTH: It is not necessary to always RSVP to a holiday party.
FACT: Whether you are able to attend a party or not, if the invitation says RSVP, you should reply. The only time you wouldn't need to reply is if the invitation requests a response for regrets only and you are planning to attend.
MYTH: red wine should be drunk out of a larger, fuller red wine glass.
FACT: Just like any other type of wine, red wine can be enjoyed in any type of glass that you have on hand - even a tumbler will DO the trick.
MYTH: It is fashionable to show up late to a party.
FACT: Don't always assume that your host expects you to show up late to a party. The general rule of thumb is that if the invitation says to arrive by 8 p.m., plan to arrive within half the hour, unless specified on the invitation that it's an open house.
MYTH: You don't need to bring a gift to a party.
FACT: Never arrive empty handed. wine makes a great gift. Plenty of bottles cost between $10 and $20. And remember to wrap the wine in more than the paper bag you bought it in - many wine shops offer festive gift bags, or consider presenting the wine in a stocking, or tie an ornament around its neck.
MYTH: As a host, it's okay to start cleaning up before your guests leave.
FACT: Not true. This could make your guests feel like you are not enjoying their company or that you want the night to be over. As a host, it is important to make your guests feel welcome and appreciated by giving them your attention.
MYTH: You need to hire a bartender in order to serve drinks.
FACT: wine serves itself, and most guests prefer to make their own choices. Sampling is in. Offer a variety of wine options; this way you and your guests will have options.
MYTH: You need to spend a lot of money in order to entertain.
FACT: Not true. Entertaining can be as inexpensive or expensive as you choose. Again, your guests are just grateful to be entertained. To keep costs down, choose a variety of under $10 bottles of wine to fill your bar instead of spirits, mixers and other drinks, which can run up the tab.
Courtesy of wine Market Council. For more information, visit www.wineanswers.com.
Photos courtesy of wine Market Council.