The holidays are here and it's time to break open the sparkling wine! Celebrating this time of year with family and friend's is one of life's joys. But what exactly should you serve your guests when you are entertaining at home? Walking into a wine store and trying to figure out which bottle of sparkling wine to choose can be overwhelming. Luckily, hosts have many options when it comes to what to pour for their guests. Champagne? Prosecco? Cava? Sparkling wine? Maybe Moscato d'Asti? Here I am going to give you a brief lesson in Sparkling Wine 101 and some of the fabulous choices: Champagne Only sparkling wine made in Champagne, France, using the Traditional Method, is allowed to be called Champagne. These wines undergo a second fermentation, in the bottle, which is called … [Read more...]
Festive Slow Cooker Beverages for Holiday Parties
As you make plans for holiday parties, drawing up menus and planning tablescapes, consider adding festive slow cooker beverages to your fare. Spiced ciders, creamy cocoas, mulled wines, and more can be kept hot and inviting for the duration of your soiree. Plus, they are a cinch to make, most only requiring that you add all the ingredients to the appliance and turn it on! Ciders This one is as easy as pouring apple (or pear) juice or cider into your slow cooker, adding some cinnamon sticks and whole cloves and turning it to low. It will be fragrant and delicious in a few hours. But you can also make it extra-special with a few tweaks. Citrus Cider - the addition of orange and lemon juices and fresh ginger is a refreshing twist Spiced Caramel Cider - this is sweeter cider that pairs … [Read more...]
