Girls' Night In Wine Order

Here's the perfect wine list for a night in with your girls. Start off with the light and bubbly… then get deeper into the darker stuff. Relax! I’m just talking about the wine… maybe. Ditch the apron and don’t spend too much time in the kitchen. Check out some of these easy to cook (or order 🙄) appetizers, if it’s your turn to host the next #GirlsNightIn. Some delish small bites paired with the right wines make a great late night snack, when you don’t have time to cook.

1

2017 Pretty Young Thing Sauvignon Blanc

Start off with something sweet and bubbly, but just a little tart. This fruity sauv blanc has tasting notes of green apple and lemon, so it’s got a little dry, zesty flavor to it. Pair this PYT Sauv Blanc with your Thai takeout and maybe some shellfish (if you’re not allergic). I recommend either grilled shrimp or pan seared scallops.

2

2017 The Independent Chardonnay

Here’s a nice dry, medium bodied wine to transition everyone into the evening with small bites. Its’ tasting notes consist of apricot, honey, and pear. These flavors are what makes this chardonnay pair well with cheeses and shrimp, of course, most white wines always pair well with fish.

I usually don’t love white wine, but this crisp chardonnay is really refreshing and not too tart.

View fullsize

I recommend some coconut shrimp with a sweet chili dipping sauce. Try out this recipe on Fifteen Spatulas or order them from Costco. Costco has an amazing catering menu, but you just have to be okay with ordering food in bulk.

If you wanna stick with cheese only, I highly recommend gouda. Stop by your local cheese and dairy store for the best options. If you’re in the New York City area, check out Murray’s Cheese or Beecher’s Handmade Cheese or try shopping for their cheeses and meats online. Murray’s Cheese is pretty popular and is carried in lots of NYC bars and restaurants. The last time I had their cheese was over at The Up & Up in Greenwich Village.

And if you want to have a more refreshing bite option, try drizzling this Mission Fig Dark Balsamic Vinegar over some sliced pears and Swiss cheese cubes. There’s a picture on the right. Because The Independent has a pear as one of its tasting notes, pears and cheese with flavored balsamic vinegar is a really good appetizer pairing. This same appetizer or snack can be made with other fruits like apples or even mangos. And the cheese division is also interchangeable, so feel free too through some cheddar or gouda in there instead. When it comes to pairing fruits and cheeses, go by flavor. For example, a sharp cheese like cheddar pairs well with sweet apples like the Red Delicious. The same goes for bleu cheeses and sweet apples. I found a guide for cheese and fruit pairings from “The Cheese Whisperer” to help you build your next cheese board.

3

2017 Loves Me Not Rosé

I threw this bottle in my order because everyone’s drinking rosé these days, so why not? I’m not a fan of a super rosy/herbal flavored rosé, but I do love this rosé in particular for its really sweet taste. It’s also just a really pretty bottle and makes a nice gesture when you’re visiting a girlfriend for dinner at her place. I’m old-fashioned and I never show up to anyone’s house empty-handed.

Now let’s talk food! Pair Loves Me Not Rosé with something salty, like melon wrapped in prosciutto. The melon will balance out the saltiness of the prosciutto and highlight the sweetness of the wine.

4

2017 Wall of Sound Red Blend

This sweet, dry red blend goes great with a variety of cheeses. And it really compliments pasta with red sauce, if you’re in a romantic mood. Or if you’re feeling more casual, BBQ also pairs well with it. Order in some Hill Country BBQ or any of your favorite local BBQ spots. If you’re opting in for the romantic mood, try out my recipe for a delish dish of spaghetti and meatballs.

5

2017 Yé-Yé Monastrell

Yeaya!!! Put your hands up for this dry, medium bodied red. This monastrell contains tasting notes of fig, dark plum, and black pepper. The rich fruity and peppery taste pairs well with a variety of meal types; whether you’re keeping things simple with a board of cheeses and cured meats, casual with burgers, or getting fancy with lamb.

Here’s my rule of thumb for cheese boards… If you have figs or a fig jam on the board, you gotta include a soft brie cheese to compliment it.

For more tips on creating the perfect cheese board, check out this blog post!