How to choose a great wine for your next dinner party (+ Frosé Recipe!)

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Picking a wine for a dinner party can be a daunting task. How much money should you spend? What does your host like? What are they serving? You may or may not have answers to these questions, so the best bet is to bring a wine that doesn’t need food at all. Try focusing on the “party” aspect here. Your host probably already chose wine to pair with the meal, but they may not have considered what to serve before or after the meal. Welcome to “Crémant”. Crémant is a sparkling wine from France, made with grapes from the respective regions they come from, and they are made in the Traditional Method (Champagne is also made this way). Crémant can come from Alsace, Burgundy, Limoux, Loire, Bordeaux, Jura, Savoy, and Die. Crémant de Alsace, Crémant de Bourgogne, and Cremant de Loire are probably the easiest to find, but all will work. In France, these sparkling wines are served as an aperitif, but they are a nice, light alternative for after the meal as well. These wines can be a quarter of the price of Champagne and they bring all the cool factor. Unless your host is very knowledgeable about wine, they probably haven’t heard of these, and that can be a great conversation starter at the dinner table. Make sure to pick up an extra bottle for yourself while you’re at our store!

- Rachel Coddington, Abaco Wine Bar

Current Favorites:

  • Jean Baptiste Adam, Crémant de Alsace Brut Rosé
  • Domaine Albert Boillot Crémant de Bourgogne
  • Gerard Betrand Cremant de Limoux

 

Frosé Recipe

Courtesy of Rachel Coddington, Abaco's very own sommelier

For the Simple Syrup

1 cup water / 1 cup sugar- bring to a boil and take off heat. Stir to dissolve sugar.

Add 2 mint stems while simple syrup is still hot.

When cooled, remove mint and add juice from 1/2 lime

(adjust quantities for larger batches)

Add 5 ounces Barowsky Disesa Vineyards “Albertus Magnus” Pinot Noir Rosé to blender or magic bullet and add equal parts ice

Add 4 tablespoons simple syrup/lime mixture

Blend and serve!