Wine connoisseur’s ideal wine tasting party

      As we drove across George Washington Bridge, it was so foggy that the only thing we could see was the lights of the cable that held the bridge. The faintly glowing light and the massive structure were both majestic and mysterious. This is how the night began as we headed to our first wine tasting party.

     We knew it was a small party of just few couples. I knew no one other than the host. Before you think I am a wine connoisseur, let me tell you that the only connection to wines I have is that I am married to a wine connoisseur . I was only invited out of courtesy for my husband and because he needed a designated driver. I just hoped that they have food to go with those fermented grape juice.

     As we walked into the house of our host, we were greeted by warm and friendly guests. Once introductions were made, we were given a flute of welcome champagne. I took it and took a modest sip out of courtesy. As the bubbly liquid hit my tongue, however, I was enamored. It was so good! I took another sip just to make sure.

     I told my host that it was the best champagne I had ever tasted. He tells me it’s 1988 Moet et Chandon Dom Perignon. I may not be familiar with the names of champagne, but who hasn’t heard of Dom Perignon. Enchanted by the bubbly and the amazing taste, I take more than my usual sips of alcohol. 　 　

     As we were the last couple in the guest list, the hostess directed us to a kitchen table. It was arranged with assorted artisan cheeses, charcuterie and fruit. Everything was so artfully arranged, it looked like a wine advertisement come to life.

     We were passed our first glass of red wine. It was smooth glass of Leoville Las Cases Saint Julian 1982. It went down well with the assortment of cheeses. Some of the stronger cheese brought out the flavor of the wine while the weaker tasting cheeses only made the wine taste bland. 　 　

     After that light wine with cheeses, all the four couples were directed to the dining room, where second glass of wine was waiting on our seats along with the menu for the evening.

The dining room was lovely with touch of autumn leaves and pumpkins as the center piece. It was perfect. Then, a glass of 1982 Chateau Pichon Lalande Pauillac was poured along with wild mushroom crostini with truffle oil drizzle and a prosciutto wrapped figs. The wild mushroom was so delicious. The food and the wine were making me forget that I was in New Jersey. It felt as if I was in some French bistro.　 　 　 　

     Then the third course of gorgonzola salad with arugula and pear with duck confit were served. The duck was aged to perfection. Everyone was inquiring about the duck and the hostess shared the pain staking effort to age the duck while all the guests devoured it in just minutes, washing it down with the 1982 La Mission-Haut-Brion, Graves.

     The fourth course came with sweet potato pancakes with bacon and scallion and apple chutney. By then, I was getting very full with Cos d’Estournel Saint Estephe 1982. The little bit of meat brought the flavor of the wine. But I controlled myself, carefully considering the medallions of filet mignon with roasted asparagus which were being served next with some wine called Chateau Pichon-Lalande (Pauillac) 1975. The wine was so delicious with the meal.

     By this time I was so full, I had to pass the rest of the meat and the wine to my lucky husband, so that they were not being wasted. The real wine connoisseurs finish not only the meat but the wine to its last drop. The evening concluded with dessert, coffee and stories with great laughter.

     I have to say, I heard of wine tasting party but this was a truly elegant and tasty evening with gourmet wine and food. Our hostess did a great deal of research to make this event a truly enjoyable event, even for the inexperienced wine drinker like me.

     As I drove home from the party, my husband enjoyed some nap  time. I turned on the radio to prepare for the long journey home. Half way home, John Tesh’s Intelligence for Your Life segment came on. He quoted the Real Simple Magazine about how a glass of red wine can reduce a heart disease and lower one’s cholesterol. We, of course, have heard this at some point in our lives. But he continued on to say that the antioxidants in red wine slow down the aging. Now, he got my attention. Who doesn’t want to look younger. What was more interesting, however, was a study done in University of Wisconsin about red wine. They found that red wine reduced fat cells from forming and that slower and higher level of antioxidant can be found in drier red wines.

     Having experienced the joy of a wine testing party and having heard about this study by University of Wisconsin, I look forward to having a glass of red wine this holiday season. What better way to start a celebration and kick off the holiday with a glass of wine? And, now that CreativeLuv.com. has a new low holiday prices, you have more to celebrate and save money, too.

     Creative Luv is also offering stamped envelopes, so now you will have more time to throw a party and open a new bottle of wine. Holiday can’t be simpler and now you have one more reason to raise a glass to celebrate. Happy Holiday!