There’s nothing better than an old-fashioned wine and chocolate pairing with friends. Serve from wooden boards and old fashion scorecards, dim the lights and get some ambiance going or pick a beloved movie for some nice background noise. Set up in the living room (picnic-style), or have a table at every corner of the room. Do it any way you like! It’s YOUR pairing party!!! 

A few tips to make this tasting extra special:

• Start your guests with the lighter chocolates first, white chocolate, for instance. Then move up the cocoa latter with a higher percentage in every bite. 
• Bring something new to try, for instance, something you and most of your friends have not tried yet. Give everyone’s taste buds a sense of adventure. 
• Speaking of adventure, don’t get too stuck on dark chocolates and red wines. Certainly, those are sensational together! But try something a little unconventional, what matters is what tastes good to you. Not everyone has the same palate. 
• Don’t rush through the tasting experience. Encourage your guests to take their time and enjoy. Create a bit of timelessness by using slow conversation. Make sure you have plenty of chocolate on hand for as many helpings as needed. 
• Give everyone their own plates to build as they move around the room. 
• Consider having guests bring one type of chocolate each, to share at the party. A favorite or something they’ve always wanted to try.
• Send friends home with leftover chocolate bags. It’s a pleasant way to end the evening, with a bag full of sweet memories.
• St. Patrick’s day is just around the corner. An old-time favorite is chocolate chip mint and it’s perfect for the holiday. Keep an eye out for variations of this minty theme. You’ll be glad you did. 

Get some tasting practice in and stop by our tasting room. We love sharing pairing ideas and hearing what others like as well. It’s a nice way to spend an afternoon and you just might go home with some fresh new ideas to try at your next party! 

~ Sandi, Rex, and Rowdy

Has it been a while since you’ve entertained? Make it easy on yourself and throw together a nice platter of food for your guests! What’s fun about having a variety of hors d’oeuvres to choose from is friends can pick their own pairings and share interesting combinations. It’s a great talking piece, but not only that, it’s a unique and interactive activity. Enjoy creating your buffet and setting up the table in your own special way. Think up a party theme, like ‘Springtime and Flowers’, or consider elegantly mapping the table with little pairing clue cards for tasting tips. 

Incredible Cheddar Cheese Tart

Are there any cheddar cheese tart fans out there? Here are a couple of ideas to consider if you want to do something a little on the fancy side. These tarts are packed with wonderful flavors like arugula, mushrooms, rosemary, and basil! YUM!!!

Spinach Dip Bites

Here’s another touch of elegance and a great way to use up that extra spinach sitting in the crisper before it all goes bad. Think of flavors like sun-dried tomatoes, tangy goat cheese, earthy artichokes, and spicy jalapenos! 

Cheese Platter 

In the mood for something more relaxed? The cheese platter never disappoints! It’s full of all sorts of flavors including herbs, spices, and sweet n’ sour! This is the perfect smorgasbord to put together in a FLASH if your friends decide they’re going to crash at YOUR place last minute, Lol! 

Need some pairing inspiration? Visit our website and read all about the outstanding wines we offer, for any occasion. Take a drive and visit us in our tasing room, we always love to share great pairing ideas!!

~Cheers