Does the idea of hosting a party at your place ignite a panic attack? We know the thought of home entertaining can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, it can be quite joyous if you have a sense of what to serve your guests. One top tip? Stock the same wines to pour at every event. They’ll be your go-tos and make pairing a breeze. Wine varieties like Pinot Grigio and Pinot Noir taste fabulous on their own, but also complement an assortment of foods. They’re generally crowd-pleasers and, with a brand like Cavit, easy to find on most wine store shelves for an affordable price.
So grab a set of versatile glasses, a few matching serving platters, and cute napkins — you’ll be ready to throw a memorable shindig with these party planning ideas.
Aperitif Hour
Skip the happy hour at the local pub and instead, invite friends over for a sophisticated aperitif. It’s essentially the same timing — sips before dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. — but often include easy-drinking white wines like Pinot Grigio alongside light bites such as canapes and crudite. (Note: Forgo red wines for cocktail-style events since the chance of spillage remains high as guests move around the room.) Try pairing Cavit Pinot Grigio with a mini serving of ceviche dressed in citrus or arancini filled with peas and mozzarella. Who wants to go back to jalapeno poppers and beer? Not us. We’re so down with this very European concept of elevating the post-work drink.
Brunch
Forget bubbles for brunch. Delight your guests with a surprise twist on the standard breakfast drinks: Serve glasses of well-chilled Pinot Grigio. It’s especially satisfying during warmer months or alfresco dining on a sunny day. And to be honest, it’s not like Mimosas really pair all that well with brunch menus — we’d rather have the bright acidity of wine than the orange juice. Pour a glass of Cavit Pinot Grigio alongside your avocado toast and goat cheese omelets. You won’t regret giving it a whirl.
Game Day
Game day may call to mind beer and buffalo wings but try this variation: Pinot Noir. The fruit-forward flavors of the wine offset the spicy flavors of the wings, and the low tannins won’t enhance the heat of the chili. Don’t disregard white wines, either: Pinot Grigio is a heavenly accompaniment to a hoagie or pizza (yes, pizza!). As for the game-day standby dips? There’s no better sip than a cool glass of Cavit Pinot Grigio with guacamole or French onion dip and the fuller body of Pinot Noir with spinach-artichoke dip. Now, pass the chips.
Dinner Party
Though throwing a formal dinner party is not for the faint of heart, it’s not overly complicated either. You just need a little confidence, some easy-to-whip-up recipes, and, of course, crowd-pleasing wine pairings like Cavit Pinot Grigio and Pinot Noir. It’s always best to offer your guests a choice of red or white for dinners — everyone will have their preferences. You can, however, help guide your guests with what might be best. Offer to pair the Pinot Grigio with first-course dishes like shrimp with lemon and garlic or cocktail sauce. The wine can be refilled for the main course if you’re serving a white fish such as grilled halibut, or a cheesy risotto. Pinot Noir works well with heartier appetizers, especially wintery dishes such as stuffed mushrooms or squash soup. For entrées, look to herb-crusted pork roast with tart fruit glaze and meatier vegetarian dishes like eggplant Parmesan. Have some health-conscious guests? Cavit Pinot Noir is a surprising accompaniment to vegan dishes, too. Try roasted vegetables with a soy-based sauce.
Ladies Who Lunch
No wine says girls’ hangout quite like Pinot Grigio. A popular choice for women at everything from cocktail parties to Netflix nights, it’s no wonder the wine variety has made its way to lunchtime tabletops. Cavit Pinot Grigio also happens to be the perfect pairing for plenty of mid-day dishes, like crab and arugula salad, spinach quiche, seafood tostadas, and basically anything with a lemon vinaigrette to complement the wine’s zesty character. Plus, there’s no better way to enjoy a glass than to sit at the sidewalk cafe and watch the passersby.
Movie Night
Let’s be real: Streaming services have changed how we do “movie night” with friends. Bringing the viewing home means wine with your buttery popcorn and Sour Patch Kids, which, in our opinion, is so much better than a sugary soda. Pull out the cozy blankets and invite friends to join in loungewear for a double-feature evening. Cavit Pinot Grigio is the perfect palate cleanser to sip as the film begins, and as you start munching on the goat cheese and veggies, it will only augment the experience. Red wine drinkers will find that Cavit Pinot Noir stands up to rich, buttery popcorn. As for the candy? Twizzlers and Kit Kats work well with Pinot Noir while gummy bears and Pinot Grigio will be your new favorite combo.
Dessert Party
Put a spin on the standard party food with a dessert party. Have friends over for sweet treats paired with your go-to wines. Hint: Contrary to popular belief, sweet wines don’t necessarily go with dessert. In fact, dry white wines like Cavit Pinot Grigio tend to enhance desserts, including mascarpone-stuffed crepes, crème brulée, and fruit tarts. The same goes for Cavit Pinot Noir, which works exceptionally well with flourless chocolate cake and white chocolate desserts. The cherry and raspberry flavors of the wine act like a topping to cocoa-based sweets. Oh, and never underestimate the satisfaction of an end-of-the-meal cheese plate with wine!
This article is sponsored by Cavit.
