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A Pairing Party featuring Duets
By Allison Elder
An idea for a summer pairing party is to feature musical duets - enjoy some lovely wines with some classic and swinging sounds. See which duets you like the best, and which wines compliment the music most effectively. One timeless classic that is a must is the first Louis and Ella duet album. For another twist on great music, try Natalie Cole's album that includes the technological marvel of the duet with her father, the great Nat King Cole. This musical mix includes lush ballads as well as tunes that really swing, and the vocalists are backed by fabulous instrumentalists playing great arrangements. For this gathering, serve a mixed cheese plate and maybe a special dip with fresh vegetables or a bowl of easy-to-eat summer fruit like cherries, grapes, or strawberries. Add the wine and you're ready to enjoy a kicked back summer evening. Whether red or white, strong, rich wine choices pair well with this music - we suggest Zinfandel and Chardonnay. See which combination you and your guests prefer between the wines and the music, and let us know your results by visiting our blog page.
Wines: Ravenswood Zinfandel - Vintner's Blend (Red); Rodney Strong Reserve Zinfandel (Red); Chalk Hill Estate Bottled Chardonnay (White); La Crema Chardonnay (White)
Music: Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong - Best Of Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong vs. Natalie Cole (w/ Nat King Cole) - Unforgettable: With Love
Ideas for Spring
Spanish Theme Party!
Have a Spanish theme wine party and blast the sultry music of the Gipsy Kings!! Try the Spanish Vinos Pinol 2003 Portal Crianza , for just $17.99 a bottle. This wine is rated 91 by Wine Advocate and is a luscious blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Tempranillo. Unfiltered and opulent, its flavor gives off a wonderful fusion of black cherry, smoke, spice and truffles. Also, discover the Hidalgo NV La Gitana Manzanilla
Sherry. With an impressive 97 rating by International Wine Cellars, this is a high quality sherry at its best. It is quite rich and intensely pungent, giving off enticing hints of almond skin and the tang of the sea. It is a steal at just $13.99 a bottle. Some easy to make Spanish tapas would go splendidly with your wine party. Serve delicious dishes like patatas brava and roasted red peppers in olive oil with baguettes pieces.
We suggest you invite the Gipsy Kings to entertain by playing their "Greatest Hits"
Winter Suggestion
Have A Sake Party!
For the Sake and the music-
Serve four kinds of sake, two hot and two cold. You can serve Masumi "Okuden" sake hot, and the "Arabashiri" which is best served cold. Both are about ($25.00) for 24 ounces serving and the "Arabashiri" is described on our featured wines page. Also, try serving Tamanohikari "Yamahai" both hot and cold. This junmai-ginjo brew is a product of Kyoto, Japan, since 1673 and has the Highest Authorized Ranking in Japan. It is traditionally brewed without being fortified with alcohol or additives. It is rich and dry with a beautiful harmony of acidity and sweetness. It can be served at 40°F-50°F or 105°F-115°F. The full-bodied taste of Tamanohikari gives a distinctive impact not unlike Bourbon whisky. The cost is about $22.00 for 720 ml. Pair the sake with funky and eclectic music like Cafe Del Mar (Volume 7)
We suggest serving Caribbean Lobster Spring Rolls and an assortment of sushi and sashimi at your party. Make sure to write us with your results and we will post them on the "Your Pairings" page of our site. Or you can post your own blogs on our site.