Good Party Wines

Having a party can be a wonderful yet stressful experience.  Whether the party is large or small there's a lot of preparation that goes into making it successful.  Choosing the right wine is a key piece to the success and enjoyment of any shindig.  I have a few ideas about party wine selection that may take some of the angst out of the decision making process and simultaneously give you the satisfaction of providing your guests with quality wine selections. 

When it comes to selecting wines for a party, I have found that many people rely on overly sweet and mass produced wines of lower quality.  The justification is simple: cost!  Party givers usually have a budget of some sort when contemplating wine purchases.  However, one does not have to sacrifice quality even on a tight budget.  With a little exploration, wines can be found that will bring enjoyment to your guests while they mingle, talk and eat.  The wines should also compliment a wide range of foods usually offered at a party. Let's get started.

The Plan

• It's critical to have an assortment of reds, whites and possibly roses on hand. In the world of wine there are always those who "only like white" or "only like reds."  Having both on hand is important to give your guests adequate choice.  

• Party wines need to be familiar, at least for the most part.  If you stock up on dry Riesling your guests may balk at drinking something they are unfamiliar with.  You don't want people experimenting with wine when you actually want them relaxed and talking. However, as you will see, offering new versions of old favorites can be a winner.  Also, slipping in new and accessible wines can add an exciting dimension for your guests.

•  Since you will be buying in bulk, attempt to sample the wines you have chosen before hand.  Buy a few bottles well in advance of the party to make sure the wine is what you are comfortable with and corresponds to what you know of your guests' tastes.  Knowing the level of wine sophistication of party goers can help immensely in the planning process.  

The Wine

 Many parties I have been to offer cheap Californian or Australian wines.  Although drinkable, they do not represent the quality one can achieve at comparable prices.  Inexpensive American Merlots, Cabs and  Chardonnays are often dull, weak or too sweet to impress.  Another favorite, Pinot Grigio, is usually too thin and characterless to show well.

My advice is to look at a wider range of wines that are inexpensive and offer great variety and top notch taste.  All of the wines I list below can be purchased between $10 and $15.  

Whites

Pinot Grigio - Often the butt of jokes, Pinot Grigio can be tasteless and lackluster.  However, there are Pinot Grigios that stand out.  When purchasing, look or ask for Pinots that come from the Friuli area of Italy.   
Ruffino Orvieto Classico -This is a very charming and tasteful wine that is inexpensive but enjoyable with nice fruit for your guests to ponder.
New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc -SBs are a great crowd pleaser.  This wine is refreshing, crisp and especially good for summer parties. I suggest you stay away from some of the over the top labels that exhibit too much gooseberry and grapefruit . 
Muscadet - From the Loire Valley in France, Muscadet is a dry, pleasant, juicy but sometimes tart wine with good body and complexity.  It will impress your guests. 
Vinho Verde - Especially good for party's in warmer weather, the Portuguese Vinho Verde possesses great minerality, crispness, refreshing fruit and is mildly effervescent.  

Reds 

Portuguese Reds - These wines are becoming available in greater quantities than every before.  The reds are rich, earthy, and dry.  Guests will be intrigued and pleased by the experience.  Portuguese reds are still inexpensive.  I highly recommend them.  Look for reds from the Douro Valley.
Pinot Noir - Granted, really good Pinot Noir is costly.  But there are inexpensive labels available that are fruity and nicely acidic that can please any crowd.  PNs are lighter bodied, more delicate reds that are exceptional.  I am particular to Oregon State but good, inexpensive California Pinot Noirs are there for the picking. 
Cabernet Sauvignon - Great Cabs are being grown in Latin America. Chile and Argentina have produced exceptional vintages.  The Chilean Cabs are spicy and herbal and even express hints of chocolate.  Guests will be intrigued. 
Beaujolais-Village - This French wine is an easy but very enjoyable, soft red.  White wine drinkers may find the Beaujolais-Village quite enjoyable.  Its addition to the party menu will give guests greater choice and add to their experience.  Do not mistake Beaujolais-Village with Beaujolais Nouveau.
Spanish Rioja - Wines from the Rioja region in Spain are up and coming.  They are based on two major grapes, Tempranillo and Granacha with most wines being blends of the two.  Rioja is noted for the use of oak in its wines.  These are earthy and spicy.  Your guests might notice the French influence and be intrigued. 

There are numerous wines you can chose that do not sacrifice taste but are easy on the pocket book.  Wine can be an integral and enjoyable aspect to any party or gathering.  By taking a little time to focus on the quality of wine you purchase, your guests can have a memorable experience.  You don't have to break the bank to offer exceptional wine to your friends and associates.   You might also find tasting the wine before hand an enriching experience in itself.

Let me know if you have any questions or comments. 

Good luck!

Restaurant Review: Ornella Trattoria Italiana by David Oliva

Hi everybody! This is my second review for Wine Taters.  This time I’m reviewing an Italian restaurant called Ornella Trattoria Italiana located in Astoria close to Ditmars Blvd. Ornella has been open for a few years. A co-worker of mine highly recommended it. I was filled with anticipation and hoped it stood up to its reputation.

We arrived at Ornella Trattoria around 7 PM on a very pleasant Friday in June. The front of the restaurant is entirely glass. The door and front wall allowed a fresh breeze to come in. There are a few tables outside if you choose to eat there.  My wife and I were greeted immediately as we entered.

The restaurant is not wide but it is long. There is just enough room to walk through as the waiters and waitresses scurry by. The walls are painted nicely with artwork depticing an Italian village.  We did feel as if we were in Italy. Once we were seated we were ready to order. 

Here is our order with estimated prices:

Antipasti:  Buffalo Mozzarella, Arugula, and Prosciutto di Parma (special of the day) - $10 (estimated)
Dinner: Rigatoni Alla Matriciana - $15, and Short ribs with Gnocchi and Brown Sauce - $21
Dessert: Tiramisu - $5 (estimated)
Wine: Half Carafe of Pinot Grigio $15 (estimated)
Total Bill: $85 w/tip (estimate)

Source: Ornella Trattoria Italiana

We were first served brucshetta on toasted Italian bread. The brucshetta was very good. I remember tasting all of the ingredients when taking a big bite.  I could eat this all day, it was so good. As a free item, the brucshetta was a great piece of the meal.

Buffalo Mozzarella, Arugula, and Prosciutto Di Parma

This special antipasti of the day interested me the most. I can never refuse a Buffalo mozzarella dish.  Since my wife (Angela) loves Arugula (I do not), I was able to taste the mozzerella and Prosciutto di Parma in its finest forms. The mozzarella was good, not great, but good. The prosciutto was excellent! The slices were cut thin and the taste was amazing.  Angela said the Arugula was outstanding. Overall, everything on the dish was well balanced.

Rigatoni Alla Matriciana


The Rigatoni Alla Matriciana contains tomato sauce, guanciale, onions and fresh peas (I do not like peas so I told the waiter to hold them). The rigatoni was cooked Al Dente. The sauce had some tomato skin and a great taste. There was a little kick to the sauce. As I started to eat I liked it more and more. I think the reason for that was that I started to taste more of the garlic, which I love. For $15 the portion size was average but the quality was above average.

Short ribs with Gnocchi and Brown Sauce

Angela ordered the ribs and found them very tender with the meat falling off the bone. The gnocchi was light with a perfect texture. You can tell that the gnocchi was homemade. I have been in restaurants where the gnocchi is hard and tasteless. This gnocchi was one of the best I have ever eaten in my life. To top if off, the brown sauce complimented the whole meal. If you are to put all the ingredients in your mouth at one time, you will be in heaven. This dish was simply amazing. . The quantity was just right. But the price of $21 was expensive for my taste. With the price aside, when you go to Ornella’s this is a must order!

Pinot Grigio

The wine was a simple house wine, a Pinot Grigio.  The wine was not fantastic, but it went well with the meal.  I have had better wines, but this wine was satisfactory for the dinner it accompanied.  Basic Pinot flavor, nothing outstanding.
  

Tiramisu

The Tiramisu had a wonderful balance between the Marscapone and the Espresso.  The Lady Fingers were perfectly soaked in the Espresso.  The flavor of this Tiramisu was unique and different from other Tiramisu's I have had.  I cannot put my finger on it, but whatever it was, it took the Tiramisu to another level of flavor. The Tiramisu was homemade and the texture was phenomenal. The cake melted in my mouth while savoring the flavor. I was full from eating dinner but couldn’t refuse the cake once I had one taste of it.
  
I highly recommend Ornello Trattoria for both the food and the friendly service. The owner Giuseppe spoke with us and is a very pleasant man. He is filled with energy and passion towards his restaurant. Thank you Giusseppe, we had a great time and will be back!

Scale 1-10 (1 is gross and 10 is stupendous)

Location: 8
Décor: 9.5
Food: 9
Service: 9.5
Price: 7
Overall: 9

Ornella Trattoria Italiana
2917 23rd Avenue, Astoria, NY 11105
(718) 777-9477‎

Hours:
Mon    12pm    –    10pm
Tue     12pm    –    10pm
Wed   12pm    –    10pm
Thu     12pm    –    10pm
Fri      12pm    –    10pm
Sat     12pm    –    11pm
Sun    12pm    –    11pm

Transit: Astoria-Ditmars Blvd Station (0.2 mi) 


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Santo Stefano 2008 Pinot Grigio

I'm not a Pinot Grigo fan.  So much of what passes as acceptable is rather weak and tasteless.  But there are exceptions.  The other night, Mary produced a wonderful dinner consisting of a pan fried veal chop with sweet peppers and onions, with a sweet potato and mushrooms as perfect side dishes.  The wine at hand was a Santo Stefano 2008 Pinot Gregio.  This wine comes from the Veneto region.  It was a very pleasant surprise.  It was crisp, lively, with nice fruit and an almost honey flavor.  The finish was long and elegant, very fresh and exciting.  At first taste the fruit exploded to the roof of my mouth and lingered downwards.  It was straw colored with an odd pinkish hue.  Very different.  The Wine Grapevine  reviewed it very favorably:

"The De Stefani family have been tending their vines and producing wines for four generations in the Veneto region.Their Pinot Grigio is produced from grapes from their Pra' Longo estate and their belief is that the clay soil there, combined with its proximity to both the sea and the mountains, gives the wine a unique character and produces impressive complexity and depth of flavour. Its delicate and elegant nose offers attractive fresh fruit, which follows through to a rich, smooth, full-bodied palate. Although the sumptuous fruit dominates, there is underlying nuttiness to add interest and it feels smooth and well-balanced throughout the long, flavoursome finish."

I recommend this wine.  It's enjoyable and gives much more than the usual Pinot Gregio.  You will enjoy the price, as well.