wine tasting Archives - Wine Lovers Box

How to Host the Perfect Christmas Wine Tasting Party

November 18, 2024 Elsie_B

www.wineloversbox.co.uk - premium wine gifts UK Christmas

The festive season is the perfect time to gather friends and family for celebrations, and what better way to enjoy good company than with a Christmas wine tasting party? Not only is it a fun and interactive way to enjoy a variety of wines, but it also allows your guests to explore new flavours and learn more about their favourite beverages.In this post, we’ll share some tips on how to host a successful Christmas wine tasting party, along with how our Limited Edition Christmas Wine Box can make your planning even easier.

Choose Your Wines Wisely

The first step in planning a Christmas wine tasting party is to select the wines you want to feature. Aim for a mix of different types of wines, such as reds, whites, and sparkling, to cater to a variety of tastes. You might want to include wines from different regions or focus on a specific theme, such as festive flavours or holiday wines.

Our Limited Edition Christmas Wine Box is perfect for this occasion, featuring a curated selection of premium wines that will impress your guests and offer a delightful tasting experience.

Set the Scene

Creating a festive atmosphere is essential for any successful party. Decorate your space with Christmas-themed decorations, fairy lights, and a festive table setting. Consider using wine glasses that enhance the presentation of your wines, and provide tasting notes for each selection to encourage discussion among your guests.

If you want to go the extra mile, provide a few festive snacks that pair well with the wines, such as cheese, cured meats, or seasonal nibbles.

Prepare Tasting Notes

Tasting notes can help guide your guests through the wine tasting experience. Include information about the wines’ origins, flavour profiles, and any unique characteristics. This not only educates your guests but also adds a fun and interactive element to the tasting.

Consider encouraging guests to share their own impressions and ratings of each wine. This will lead to lively conversations and help everyone discover new favourites!

Encourage Food Pairings

Pairing food with wine can elevate the tasting experience and enhance the flavours of both. Offer a selection of snacks that complement the wines, such as cheese platters, charcuterie boards, or festive treats.Encourage your guests to experiment with different wine and food pairings during the tasting. You might even include some pairing suggestions with each wine in your Limited Edition Christmas Wine Box to inspire your guests.

Keep it Fun and Interactive

A wine tasting party should be a fun and relaxed experience. Encourage guests to ask questions, share their thoughts, and participate in discussions about the wines. You might even want to include a few games or activities, such as wine trivia or blind tasting challenges, to keep the atmosphere lively.

Remember, the goal is to enjoy each other’s company while exploring delicious wines together!

Consider Gift Bags for Guests

As a lovely gesture, consider sending your guests home with a small gift bag that includes a sample of the wines they enjoyed during the tasting. You could also include tasting notes or information about where they can purchase their favourites.

This thoughtful touch will leave a lasting impression and encourage your guests to think fondly of your wine tasting party long after the festivities are over.

Hosting a Christmas wine tasting party is a fantastic way to celebrate the festive season while enjoying great company and delicious wines. By choosing your wines wisely, setting a festive scene, and encouraging interaction, you can create an unforgettable experience for your guests. Make planning even easier with our Limited Edition Christmas Wine Box, which offers a premium selection of wines and snacks that are perfect for your wine tasting party. Order yours today and get ready to celebrate in style!

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Butternut Squash Risotto with Parma Ham Crisps and Fresh Pesto Recipe

November 29, 2023 Elsie_B

www.wineloversbox.co.uk – healthy butternut squash recipes

A fantastic winter recipe thar is easy to make, warming, and delicious. The risotto is creamy and packed with flavour, and the parmesan ham crisps add a salty, crispy touch. The fresh pesto is the perfect finishing touch, adding a bright, herbaceous flavour.

www.wineloversbox.co.uk – butternut squash recipes

Ingredients:

1kg butternut squash, peeled and cut into bite-size chunks
3 tbsp olive oil
Bunch of sage leaves picked , half roughly chopped, half left whole
1 ½ ltr good quality vegetable stock
50g unsalted butter
1 shallot, finely chopped
300g risotto rice (Arborio or Carnarolli)
1 small glass dry white wine
50g Parmesan, finely grated

For the pesto:

½ garlic clove, peeled and roughly chopped
1 handful of basil, roughly torn
55g/2oz pine nuts
55g/2oz fresh Parmesan, finely grated
150ml/1/4-pint olive oil
salt and pepper

Method:

Preheat the oven to 180C. Toss the squash in 1 tbsp oil together with the chopped sage. Scatter into a shallow roasting tin and roast for 15-20 minutes until cooked through.
Bring the stock to the boil and keep on a low simmer.
In a separate pan, melt half the butter over a medium heat. Stir in the shallot and cook gently for 8-10 minutes until soft but not coloured, stirring occasionally.
Add the rice stirring continuously until the rice is shiny and the edges of the grain start to look transparent.
Pour in the wine and simmer until totally evaporated.
Add the stock, a ladleful at a time, and stir the rice over a low heat for 20 minutes until the rice is cooked al dente (with a slightly firm, starchy bite in the middle). The risotto should be creamy and slightly soupy.
Gently fry the whole sage leaves in a little olive oil until crisp, then set aside on kitchen paper.
When the squash is cooked, mash half of it to a rough purée and leave half whole.
When the risotto is just done, stir though the purée, then add the cheese and butter and leave to rest for a few minutes.
Serve the risotto scattered with the whole chunks of squash, fresh pesto and the crisp sage leaves.

To make the pesto:

Place all the ingredients in a mortar and pound well with the pestle to make a rough paste.
Season to taste.
Alternatively, place the ingredients in liquidiser and blend until smooth.

Wine Pairing

This dish is perfect for a winter night in with a good glass of wine. Here are a few suggestions:

Pinot Noir: This is a classic pairing for butternut squash. The earthy, mushroomy flavours of pinot noir will complement the sweetness of the squash.
Chardonnay: Chardonnay is another good choice. The buttery, oaky flavours of chardonnay will stand up to the richness of the risotto.
Sauvignon Blanc: Sauvignon blanc is a refreshing choice that will cut through the richness of the risotto. The grassy, citrusy flavours of sauvignon blanc will also complement the fresh pesto.

Grab the final Wine Lovers Box of 2023 here

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The new Wine Lovers Box is here!

March 22, 2023 Elsie_B

www.wineloversbox.co.uk-summer-subscription-box

Yes wine lovers, it’s that time again. This quarter’s Wine Lovers Subscription Box has landed. It’s the third out of four boxes we send out per year, and true to our nature, it’s a not-so-little box of happiness to help you get through lockdown and social distancing funk…

This box takes you to the rolling hills of the Veneto wine region in north-east of Italy to bring you two aromatic wines from winemakers Stefano Chioccioli and Mattia Giacomelli, who ferment their wine in temperature controlled tanks in order for the wine to develop its typical fruity aromas.

Best Selling Pinots – Amori Delle Venezie

www.wineloversbox.co.uk-the best summer wines

Sneak Peek

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Amori Pinot Grigio Blush 2018

A single estate Pinot Grigio Blush, delicate pink in colour with a lovely delicate strawberry fruit flavours, soft and medium dry.

Composition: 100% Pinot Grigio
Pairing: Ideal as an aperitif with breadsticks and olives.

www.wineloversbox.co.uk - best summer white wines

Amori Pinot Grigio 2018

A delicate pinot with floral character together with aromas of pears, limes and green apples. It’s dry, crisp and well-balanced on the palate with refreshing citrus flavours and zesty acidity with a subtle honeyed note on the finish.

Composition: 100% Pinot Grigio
Pairing: Enjoy chilled on its own or together with fish dishes.

Treats

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Delicious Greek olives and Italian breadsticks that pair beautifully with the Amori Pinot Grigio in your box.

This quarter’s Wine Box is available till 15th October.

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for discounts and special offers on the Wine Lovers Box.

8 words that’ll make you a wine expert instantly

March 10, 2023 Elsie_B

Becoming a wine expert takes time, ask sommeliers, it’s no joke. You have to read, study, and practice wine service as well as identify wines by tasting them blindly.

But if you’ve been drinking wine for years and know you can do all of the above while holding your own against the so-called wine experts with professional training; then all you need are these commonly used wine phrases that’ll instantly have you talking like the wine expert you are.

Legs

Legs are the rivulets that run down the side of a wine glass after the wine has been swirled around. The more legs you see, the more full-bodied and alcoholic the wine is.

Tight

A tight wine is a wine without much flavour, meaning, it needs to unwind and develop further.

Reductive

This refers to wine that is kept air-tight during fermentation. The lack of oxygen often creates a sulphurous smell in the wine.

Oxidized

When a wine is oxidized, it means it’s stale and flat due to overexposure to air.

Bouquet

This is the characteristic smell of a matured wine. Bouquet takes a long time to develop, which is why mature wines have complex bouquets.

Terroir

This is a French term for an entire region and climate where a grape is grown. It also sometimes refers to known flavours of a grape’s region.

Tannins

This is the naturally occurring compounds found in the skins, stems and pips of grapes. Tannins also act as a natural preservative to help the wine age and develop.

Body

This is the weight and fullness of a wine on your palate. Wine can be light, medium, or full-bodied. Full-bodied wines tend to be high in alcohol.

So there you have it, you probably knew all these characteristics of wine but weren’t describing them with these terms. Simply arm yourself with these words when talking about wine and voila, you’re a wine expert in the eyes of the ‘professionals.

Tag: wine tasting