A Sparkling Wine Cocktail for Your Holiday Parties

Who can believe another year has flown by? With the holiday season upon us, there’s no time like the present to start planning for both holiday gifts and holiday parties. The California 75 features California sparkling wine and is actually great for both. As a gift, you can pre-make the base and deliver it in a pretty bottle along with a bottle of sparkling wine from California. Or it’s a light and festive cocktail perfect for getting your holiday parties started. The recipe is below.

Celebrate the Holidays with California Wines

This holiday season, enjoy special deals and offers from California wineries, along with winery events and activities around the Golden State, including tastings and demonstrations, tours, festivals, virtual tastings and more. Celebrating at home? We have entertaining ideas, wine pairings and recipe suggestions for every holiday occasion, inspired by California wine country. They are guaranteed to give you, your family and your friends a very memorable and tasty holiday season! Learn more.

What’s the Best Way to Serve Wine at a Party?

It can be overwhelming to choose wine for holiday gatherings, especially if some of your guests consider themselves to be “wine enthusiasts.” We find that keeping it simple is usually best — but planning ahead is a must. There’s no need to worry about wine selections if you follow a few simple rules:

• Use the right glass – Look, we don’t think you should go buy expensive new stemware, but serving wine in plastic cups isn’t the vibe either. Instead, consider buying a case or two of sturdy stemless wine glasses to use for larger gatherings. Purists may balk at serving chilled whites in stemless glasses, but they are easier to hold, easier to clean and are way less fussy than their leggier counterparts. 
• Buy in bulk – Do what restaurants do and choose a food-friendly “house white” and a “house red.” California Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay are great options for whites. For red wines pick a California Pinot Noir or Merlot. You can often get a discount if you buy by the case, and it’s better to be consistent with your pours rather than serving a random assortment from your collection. Buy more than you think you need — it’s a major party foul to run out of wine.
• Let your guests pitch in – Inevitably people will ask what they can bring. Know what the menu is, and ask them to bring a specific varietal of California wine that pairs well with the food you plan to serve. It’s really a win-win. They don’t have to think too hard at the store, and you get something you actually need.

What’s a Good Wine for the Holidays?

When hosting a holiday party it’s best to pick wines that are both food-friendly and budget-friendly. Consider what you are serving — but don’t be afraid to break the rules. You can absolutely choose a red wine instead of the usual white (or vice versa). Actually, have one of each on hand and let your guests decide. Here are a few suggestions:

• Which wines go with appetizers? Start with a bright California sparkling wine or light Chardonnay or Pinot Gris. They all pair equally well with salty snacks and cheesy charcuterie boards.
• Which wines go with seafood? Tradition dictates that seafood and white wine are the perfect pair. A zesty California Sauvignon Blanc is always a winner and Chardonnay is also a pretty classic option. But don’t be afraid to try either a Pinot Noir or Grenache from California. Their fruit-forward profiles and balanced acidity can really complement seafood, especially salmon, smoked fish, shellfish and other fattier fish.
• Which wines go with turkey or duck? Both tend to be richer than chicken and can stand up to bolder wines. For white wines, instead of the more usual Chardonnay, try a California Roussanne or Marsanne (or a blend of the two). Often called the white wines for red wine drinkers, they have Meyer lemon, beeswax, baked apple and tangerine flavors that seem particularly appropriate around the holidays. With turkey being the national bird and Zinfandel America’s own winegrape, a bold and peppery California Zin is also an obvious choice.
• Which wines go with roast beef? Roast beef can stand up to the flavors of a big, tannic red such as California Cabernet Sauvignon. But a softer approach is to choose a Merlot from California, which might appeal to your guests that usually shy away from big reds. You can absolutely pair white wine with roast beef as well. Choose a barrel-aged, oaky Chardonnay with the opulence and richness that can stand up to hearty red meats.
• Which wines go with dessert? Many California wineries offer some spectacular dessert wines like late-harvest Rieslings, Chardonnays and Roussannes. In the Central Valley, Quady Winery specializes in sweet and dessert wines including Muscatato, Sherry and Port-style wines. But if sweet dessert wines aren’t your jam, that’s ok too. A good rule of thumb is to match the color of your dessert with the color of the wine. Serving a light, creamy dessert? Serve a light California Chenin Blanc. Serving something citrusy? Try a California Riesling. Serving something rich and chocolatey? Try a California Merlot or a red blend with cherry or red berry flavors.