Have you ever been to a party at someone’s home or at a wedding where the hosts have purchased the wine and every type you tried was just right? You wondered just how much they know about wine and how they could pick just the right types for the occasion.
The consumption of wine has gone up dramatically in the last couple of decades, with millennials currently being responsible for a great deal of that consumption in the United States. With over 7,700 wineries in the United States–at least one in every state in the union–millennials consumed 159.6 million cases in 2015. That was 42% of all wine sold here in America.
One of the great things about this resurgence in wine consumption is the appearance of new wineries around the country competing for consumers. Winemakers are continually producing different types of wine that wine enthusiasts are snatching up by the case. Wine stores in Deleware, for example, continue to sell traditional wines and newer wines by the case and customers can’t seem to get enough.
Though there may be many new types of wine being concocted throughout the United States and the world, there are five types that are still the most popular. For the white wine drinkers, there is Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio, while the red wine lovers tend to choose a nice Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, or Pinot Noir.
So, with so many options to choose from, how do you choose the right type of wine for your own party where guests can enjoy themselves with different types of wine that are more than just ordinary?
Choose wines with high energy that are bright and crisp
Avoid wines with a high alcohol content. You want your guests to have fun all evening long. Nobody wants to be fall-down drunk a half hour into the party. Wines with lots of bright acids are the way to go. The flavor will be strong without getting people sloshed before the hors d’oeuvres are even brought out.
Pick something unexpected
With just a little bit of research, you can find blends or unusual types of wine that will please just about every palate. Pick up something from a local vineyard, if there is one near you. Your guests might not be familiar with that particular wine and, the next thing you know, you’ve got people talking about it.
Make sure the wine is chilled
White wines should definitely be served chilled, but for a party, even the red bottles should be chilled beforehand. Your wine and spirits store will have a nice selection of different brands and types of wine, so picking out several different bottles should not be difficult at all. When the day of the party arrives, chill all of your bottles before the guests arrive.
Once you start serving, realize that your wine glasses are going to go through the dishwasher and will be quite warm. Pouring room temperature red wine into a warm to hot glass totally compromises the flavor. If you have your wine chilled, your guests will get just the right experience.
Wine is enjoying a very robust resurgence in the United States. So many more people are discovering all of the pleasures that wine can provide. The next time you have a party, pick out several different types and impress your guests with your wine knowledge.