Easy Entertaining with Allergic to Vanilla & Bucher Wines

We are so excited to share a fun entertaining post our friend, Carlina of Allergic to Vanilla shared on her blog. This was during the holiday months, however, entertaining is really done year round and we think the tips Carlina shares applies to all type of events and parties. Read more below and see the full blog post on Allergic to Vanilla here.

“Well, well, well look who blinked and missed all of November and jumped right into the following month all too suddenly? Anyone else not sure where the time went? This time of year is my absolute favorite even if it does go by way too fast, and I plan on savoring every last (very quick) minute of December.

Even if I can’t drink I’m not letting that stop me from throwing a good soireé. If you know me, you know I love to host a party. I’ve hosted a Friendsgiving or a Holiday party for as long as I can remember — it’s my favorite thing to do, to get friends, old and new together, eat, drink, be merry, and maybe throw in a 90’s jam session on the rooftop deck in faux fur coats (that’s a story for another time).”

“Generally, a lot of thought goes into the whole hosting experience, it can be overwhelming and stressful but today I’m sharing my four tips on how to easily host a fabulous party. It’s the stuff I’ve learned over the ten years of throwing get-togethers around this time of year, my no-fail-works everytime hosting tricks.

One: Get fresh florals. Flowers are beautiful and set the mood, they scream festive and liven up the place. But I don’t get just any florals, I like to go for something that will last me a few weeks, something like eucalyptus leaves, holly berries or Douglas tree trimmings– that way not only does the place dress up it, but it actually smells like Christmas. That piney scent really does wonders for the room’s ambiance.

Two: Get good local wine. Living in San Francisco there is no shortage of great wineries nearby. Every year I try to have a mini supply on hand of local wines I love and want to support, in recent years I’ve been in the habit of buying and opening a magnum of something really delicious. I ask all the invited guests to bring a bottle of their favorite as well, that way the wine never needs to stop flowing. This year Bucher Russian River Pinot Noir 2015 made it on my list. It’s light, fruity, and slightly sweet, it also pairs perfectly with decadent nibbles like truffled Marcona almonds and rosemary garlic cheddar.

And if you have time pre-holidays to pick up your local wine in person at the winery, even better! This month stop into the Bucher Grand Cru Crush tasting room and mention this blog post to get two complimentary tastings (a $25 value per person)!”

Grand Cru Custom Crush located in Windsor, California

Views of a tasting with Bucher Wines at Grand Cru Custom Crush. Make your reservation online here.

“Three: Use real glassware, I love the idea of stemware, but not everyone has 20 wine glasses stored somewhere, especially in San Francisco. I usually pull together stemless cups, small glasses, champagne coups, wine glasses, and even fun colored glass, like the blue ones in the pictures above. All the glassware collectively pulled together really makes for a thoughtful elegant spread, and the click-clinking makes for one hell of a party. Plus not sure about you, but wine tastes so much better out of real glass as opposed to plastic.”

“Four: Asking your guests to contribute and bring something whether a bottle of wine or an appetizer allows you to focus on prepping your home and less time in the kitchen or market picking out beverages. For my first ever Friendsgiving I slaved all day in the kitchen making a turkey and all the sides, I didn’t get to finish until guests were already in my apartment and even then was cooking and fussing with the food. Having them bring a little something alleviates whats on your hosting plate and allows you to be more in the moment with your guests.”

Thanks to Bucher for sponsoring this post and sending some wine!