By Kathleen Lisson, CSW
http://kathleenlisson.blogspot.com
Do you have wines gathering dust on your wine rack? Here are ten great excuses to open your home, and that bottle of wine, to others this season.
Invite your coworkers over to a simple but festive meal. Bake a lasagna, toss a salad and open a few bottles of Chianti. Have everyone agree to leave work problems at the front door and talk about hobbies, brag about family and share funny or happy memories.
Celebrate a recent success with pizza and a bottle of Pinot Noir or Chianti. Meat Lover Supreme your idea of pizza? Pair your slice with a robust glass of Zinfandel!
Invite your boss or your spouse's boss over to dinner. Try a nice roast paired with a bottle of Pinot Noir.
Treat your next door neighbors to a casserole and a bottle of Oaky Chardonnay or rustic red wine and catch up on the neighborhood news.
Look up an old high school or college chum and rekindle the friendship. Laugh at how much you've both grown up (or haven't). Hearty stew goes well with a bottle of Malbec or Syrah.
Invite your son or daughter's sports coaches over for dinner, thanking them for their selfless effort.
Invite your priest or pastor over to a nice home cooked meal.
Invite the hockey crowd over and have a chicken wing party, pairing different types of wings with Merlot, Zinfandel and Syrah.
Invite your child's best friend's parents over for dinner.
Try out a new recipe on your best friend or close coworker. Drink a glass to your success, or drink two to practice making perfect.
And last but not least...
Let the kids sleep over at a friends house and make a romantic meal for just the two of you, capped off by a nice glass of wine cuddled on the couch.
Find wine and food pairing advice at my website: http://kathleenlisson.blogspot.com
Kathleen Lisson is a Certified Specialist of Wine and teaches wine classes in Albany, NY.
