As a Southern girl, I believe that good manners will open any door one needs. Good manners are crucial for success in every arena one enters. Emily Post is a household name and long standing authority on etiquette. Her wisdom has served me well throughout my entire life.
As an event planner, I have been a part of many different social occasions, and I have noticed many people struggle with what to bring their hostess. Hostess gifts can be tricky. What do I bring if I am invited to a casual dinner party? A backyard summer BBQ? A party at my boss' home? Each of these situations warrant different types of gifts.
For instance, my husband's boss throws lots of parties throughout the year. Christmas parties, summer parties, his children's birthday parties, etc... Each party is different, each hostess is different, so each hostess gift must be different.
Always a great thing to bring at any time is a nice bottle of wine. However, many people do not realize that one can buy a very nice bottle of wine that doesn't cost a mortgage payment. Here are a few suggestions for great wines under $15!
Since red wine is not usually chilled, Winter is the best time to bring reds as hostess gifts. My absolute favorite red wine is either Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese, Malbec, or Zinfandel. I love red wine!
So, Cabernets are pretty trendy, and many people who just started to try reds often get turned on to cabs first.
Try these Cabernets:
Bonterra
Bonterra is a California red, and it is one of the few wines that is organic.
This Cabernet offers aromas of Bing cherry, currants and raspberry, with spicy notes of cedar and dried cranberry, with slight vanilla notes (French Vanilla, insists Christian). In the glass you’ll find juicy red berry flavors, and a very approachable, rich and full mouthfeel with a lingering, thoughtful finish. Good structure, polished yet soft tannins promise an ever more pleasing wine to come, with lively acidity and subtle spice.
Wente
I absolutely love this cabernet. It's aged for an entire year in French and American oak barrels and has black tea, black cherry fruit aromas. It's subtle and has well integrated vanilla oak aromas. Black olive aromas. Powerful, yet silky tannins with a fruit filled mouthfeel. Balanced acidity, smooth yet lingering finish.
Bogle
Bogle makes a fabulous Merlot. Concentrated aromas of earthy spice and summer cherries surround the senses, while the first pleasant sip is a delightful wave of fresh red fruit and soft garden herbs. Mere hints of pipe tobacco and spicy oak lend depth to the finish, reinforced by firm, assertive tannins.
White wines, since they are served chilled are perfect for summer and spring.
My two favorite white wines are Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
Bonterra makes my absolute favorite chard. It's so creamy and oak-y and buttery. I just love it.
Most of the grapes for Bonterra’s Chardonnay are harvested along a 12-mile corridor near the banks of the Russian River, and year after year offer characteristic green apple, baked apple, pear and citrus notes in the wine. There’s a touch of vanilla from the dollop of new French Oak. An initial impression of rich, buttery cream quickly turns to aromas of honey and lightly toasted almonds, followed quickly by tropical aromas of pineapple, citrusy lemon and Crème Brûlée.
Barboursville makes my favorite Sauvignon Blanc.
Effusively fragrant, crisp, juicy and bright with distinctive pear and passion fruit flavors. Hints of citrus appear on a gently herbal frame.
A sustaining complement in food pairings, this vintage is equally elegant and refreshing as an aperitif in lieu of sparkling wine.
I truly hope you can find these wines with ease. They are typically available at your local market.
I love bringing wine to smaller gatherings. There is nothing better than being able to share your favorite wine with good food, fascinating conversation, and great friends.
Check back for my next post where I get into other creative hostess gift ideas. And don't forget to check the recipe section for suggestions on what wines to pair with different foods.
Thanks Y'all!
[email protected] occasions&style
Hey y'all! I'm Allison Templeton CEO and founder of occasions&style.
I am an event designer in Norfolk, VA specializing in weddings, corporate galas, social events, and just really cool parties. I am so excited to be a guest blogger here at Create My Event. Create My Event has long been one of my absolute favorite blogs, and I have gotten so many fabulous ideas for my work here.
I truly hope you can use my ideas to help create your perfect event!
I love to write my own recipes, so don't forget to look in the recipe section for some of my creations.
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