Keep These Easy Wine & Snack Ideas On Hand For Those Unexpected Guests This Season!
Neighbors coming through to drop off baked good, friends stopping in to hand off your gift, or family popping by to compliment your lovely holiday decor and spend time with you…
Yes, it’s the most wonderful time of the year and spending time with loved ones is a big part of that!
But it’s a good idea to always have some yummy snacks and drink to offer them, showing how welcomed they are and what a well-planned hostess you are!
— DELICIOUS WINES UNDER $15 —
Check out these wine ideas to buy and keep on hand that won’t break the bank! They’re delicious for the price, go great with holiday meals, make nice gifts, and a good to have in your pantry to fridge for those last-minute guests!
*La Marca Prosecco ($14)
The perfect brunch bev that plays well with others — it's perfect for making a nice Aperol Spritz — this one's citrusy and not too sweet.
https://kitc...pritz-recipe/
*Chateau Ste Michelle Riesling ($10)
Sweet, candied lime peel, apricot and apple aromas are layered on the nose. Noticeably sweet on entry, this has fine acid balance lending a transparent feel in the mouth and taking the edge right off the sweetness. The result is a medium-bodied, lime-based mid-palate with a touch of herb and apple peel complexity that extends over the moderately long finish. Nicely balanced and fresh if a touch simple, this checks all the boxes.
*Chloe Rosé ($13)
The cute bow alone is enough reason to make this your go-to rosé, but if you need another excuse, the nods to watermelon, raspberries, and strawberries don't hurt.
*Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Pinot Grigio ($8)
Crisp and juicy with a touch of spice, this white is a mouthwatering complement to fried chicken, quesadillas, and Greek salad.
*Chateau Souverain Sauvignon Blanc ($11)
If you like your white wine crisp, dry, and with a fancy French name that suggests you spent more money than you did, this bottle should do the trick.
*Apothic Crush Smooth Red Blend ($10)
With a chocolate-y finish, this full bodied red is ideal for when you've just had a day, and the only thing that can solve it is an Olivia Pope-size goblet of something on the sweet side.
*Veramonte Reserva Merlot ($10)
Smooth and voluptuous, this Chilean import pleases with the essence of ripe plums, red cherries, and notes of cocoa and vanilla. A great choice for hearty entrées like chicken Parmesan or sausage and peppers.
*Elsa Bianchi Malbec ($10)
Made with grapes from the Doña Elsa vineyard, this juicy, dark berry-flavored Malbec is another great value.
*Folonari Pinot Noir ($8)
A dry, savory red that sings with the flavors of spicy black currants and blackberry jam. Ideal with grilled salmon steaks, barbecued chicken, or earthy portobello mushrooms.
— MORE DRINKS—
*Non-Alcoholic:
Appie Cider
Hot Cocoa
Coffee
*Mixed Drinks:
Delicious drink recipes to make in a large batch and keep for guests:
Sangria
https://www....nter-sangria/
Mimosas
https://www....iday-mimosas/
White Russian
https://cock...Russian_Drink
— SNACKS —
Having some easy-to-put-together bites for your friends and family is such a nice sentiment and one that will be greatly appreciated! How welcomed and happy will your guests be, as they’re served some tasty treats, sip a good beverage, and stay a while to talk and catch up this happy time of year?! These ideas range from fast and easy things to pull out and place on a tray, to some that you can make ahead of time and keep in the freezer to serve as a fancy dish that looks like you spent house, preparing for your guests!
-Keep an assortment of veggies and some kind of dip like hummus, so you can easily throw together a simple crudité.
*Easy-to-make veggie dip: https://insp...d-veggie-dip/
-Cheese This is always a huge crowd-pleaser as its something generally everyone likes, it keeps well in the fridge, tastes fancy and savory, and can be paired with so many things! Pairs with crackers, bread, fruit, meats, veggies, and more!
-Stock up on all flavors of nuts: roasted, salted, savory flavors, and sweet flavors, too! Planter’s Mixed Nuts feel fancy, especially when you put them in a nice bowl.
-Chips and crackers with any kind of dip (homemade or store-bought!)
Salsa
Hummus
Herbed Goat Cheese: https://www....e-dip-recipe/
Pimento Cheese: https://www....heese-recipe/
Guacamole: https://www....ecipe-1940609
-Cured meat! And lots of it! Salami, chorizo, prosciutto, and more….any type will do. Arrange it on a board with some cheese and fruit or jam if you have it and BAM! A perfect, put-together treat! *Sprinkle some nuts around the meats and cheeses for added fanciness and flavors.
-Keep some homemade frozen cookie dough balls in the freezer. They’re ready to pop into the oven anytime I need to serve some fresh-baked cookies. Whenever you make cookies, it's a good idea to multiply the recipe by at least double and keep the extra dough rolled in parchment in the freezer to make slice and bake cookies!
-Easy Holiday Snack Mix
Sweet and salty, colorful, and deeeelicious! Make some to bottle up and give as gifts and keep the rest to serve to guests!
https://www....ay-snack-mix/
-When making bites to have with drinks for planned guests, go ahead and make more than needed and freeze the surplus (think about things that freeze well.) Once you start making these treats, it's not that much more work to make, say four dozen pieces, instead of two. Things like Chinese dumplings, mini phyllo pastries, savory puff pastry treats and so on...
-Chili
Warm, comforting, and looks like you spent a lot of time, preparing a delicious dish for your guests!
Keep shredded cheese, crackers, hot sauce and sour cream on hand for toppings!
*How to always have chili on hand: https://www....dinner-255468
-Dried Pasta and Canned Tomatoes/Tomato Sauce: A Quick Dinner for Any Night
**Let's say your guests are stopping in for more than just a drink, and you want to actually make dinner. Let's also say you didn't have a lot of time to come up with a menu or hit the grocery store. Don't worry—instead of treating your pantry like an episode of Chopped, just grab a box of pasta from the pantry and a bottle of pre-made tomato or pasta sauce. Even if you opt against the tomato sauce, well seasoned pasta with a butter sauce, some herbs, and some frozen veggies you can heat up like spinach, kale, or even broccoli makes a hearty, fast dinner that doesn't demand special ingredients or planning. Still, for a sudden death dinner, you could do worse than a well-cooked bowl of pasta and a flavorful sauce.
Join us for a painting and wine class and bring your unexpected guests in too! We’ve got some amazing classes on the calendar that you and your loved ones will enjoy partaking int this season!
Be sure to take advantage of our Buy 5 seats and get 1 free deal that’s going on throughout all of December!
The More, The Merrier!
https://www....seatsget1free
From our Pinot’s Palette family to yours, have a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year! :)
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