When it comes to hosting, I pride myself on being a reliable hostess for my close group. I enjoy creating memorable evenings with delicious food, quality wine, and lots of laughter. Whether it’s setting a beautiful table or crafting the perfect playlist, I strive to build an inviting atmosphere that puts my guests at ease. Over the years, I’ve learned a few hostess tricks that help ensure my gatherings run smoothly. One of my key hacks? Always have extra bottles of wine on standby.
My golden rule is to have at least three or four backup bottles at all times. Keeping my bar well-stocked sets me up for success, ensuring I never run out of wine during a party. It also proves handy for impromptu get-togethers or unexpected additional guests. Even when I’m not the host, having a spare bottle of wine on my bar cart allows me to never show up empty-handed, as wine makes for a fail-safe host gift.
With the party season approaching, I’m gearing up by stocking up on wine to be ready for the festivities. I plan to purchase a few bottles each of red, white, and sparkling/rosé wines to cover the entire season. This timing couldn’t be better as La Crema, a beloved wine brand among editors, is running their Friends and Family Sale from November 2-14. By using the code EVERYGIRLFF, you can enjoy up to 40% off on all wines, including the sought-after Blanc de Blancs. It’s their top sale of the season, making it the perfect time to replenish. Read on for my top wine selections from La Crema’s Friends and Family Sale!
Favorite White Wines
A thoughtful hostess anticipates that not all guests will have the same wine preferences. This is why I like to have a variety of high-quality options available. For white wines, I typically opt for crowd-pleasers like La Crema’s Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc, known for its crispness, and their Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, offering rich hints of oak. Occasionally, I enjoy serving something less conventional, like a fruit-forward Pinot Gris or a lively Marsanne, both of which are light on the palate and pair well with cheese boards.
Top Red Wine Choices
When it comes to red wine, I gravitate towards lighter options over heavier varietals as they tend to be more versatile and complement a wider array of dishes. A Pinot Noir is always a safe bet, and La Crema’s lineup of Pinot Noir deserves a mention. Their Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir features notes of red cherry, plum, and boysenberry, ideal for pairing with dishes like bacon-wrapped dates or chocolate mousse. For a more earthy profile, their Monterey Pinot Noir offers hints of tobacco leaf and black tea, perfect for bolder flavors such as sausage and peppers or mushroom risotto.
Top Sparkling/Rosé Wine Options
The start of a party is unmistakably marked by the pop of a sparkling wine bottle. I often kick off dinner parties with either a sparkling or Rosé wine, as most wine tastings traditionally commence with these before progressing to whites and reds. La Crema boasts an impressive selection, whether you’re looking for something fruity and crisp like their Monterey Pinot Noir Rosé with hints of strawberry, peach, and orange creamsicle or something effervescent and floral like their Russian River Valley Brut Rosé. Whatever your choice, these wines serve as great palate pleasers to begin your event.
Wine Gift Sets
For the wine enthusiast friends or family members, a wine gift set can be a thoughtful holiday present. I have my eye on the Comfort & Joy box set, but La Crema offers various gift sets including all whites, all reds, and assorted wines. Shopping during their Friends and Family sale not only helps save on your holiday budget but also lets you check off a few gifts from your list in advance.
This content is sponsored by La Crema, and all views expressed are from The Everygirl editorial board. We only recommend brands we genuinely adore.
