Shrimp Boil
A one (big) pot dinner party! Corn, shellfish, and potatoes means you cover all the food groups, too. Serve with: Up the ante with hush puppies, Bloody Marys, and plenty of Old Bay.
Bo Ssam (Asian Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder)
Instead of turning on your oven, cook your bo ssam in a 300°F grill. Serve with: Aside from the obligatory lettuce cups, rice and ssam sauce (recipe here, serve your bo ssam with some pickled red onions and ginger-miso grilled eggplant. To drink, spicy gin and tonics bring just enough heat.
Happy Hour: Prosecco & Fried Dumplings
Happy Hour at your place calls for a simple snack paired with an easy-going sparkling wine. Prosecco, from Veneto, Italy, is an ideal match for both Asian cuisine and fried foods so whip up flavorful dumplings and experience the pleasing contrast between the wine's effervescence and the crunchy fried wonton, go to tsmfoods.
No Boys Allowed: Vinho Verde & Bagel Rolls
Vinho Verde is a young, fizzy, crisp, and inexpensive white wine from Portugal that pairs delightfully with all types of sushi rolls. To keep it simple, either pick up a few rolls from your favorite gourmet food shop or make it a fun, collective effort and sip Vinho Verde while making your own rolls with your best gal pals. Start with a simple six-ingredient roll that calls for smoked salmon.
Fiesta Night: Sauvignon Blanc & Guacamole
Who says you have to enjoy tacos with a margarita or a Corona when you can sip Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand? This crisp, citrus-y, herbaceous white wine accompanies freshly made guacamole like a charm. The zingy acidity of the wine works in tandem with the fresh lime juice in the guacamole and delightfully offsets the richness of the avocados.
Movie Night: New World Chardonnay & Popcorn
Movies, popcorn, and...Chardonnay? Yes, indeed. Pick up a bottle of slightly oaked, New World-style Chardonnay on your way home from the video store, make some 'real' buttered popcorn (not that microwave stuff), plant yourself on the couch, and press 'play.' The rich, toasty flavors of the wine mirror the rich, buttery goodness of the popcorn. Who knew it could be so easy?
Bring the Party Home
Bar tabs and restaurant bills add up quickly when you're out with a group. Ease the strain on your wallet by entertaining at home instead of going out. To provide a little inspiration, we've come up with 9 low-cost, D.I.Y. party ideas, complete with simple and affordable wine and food pairing suggestions. Now, all you have to do is start making the guest list.
Tacos Al Pastor
The greatest taco of all takes time, but it's so worth it. Serve with: Individual seven-layer dips are party-perfect, and there's never a bad time to eat Mexican grilled corn. Don't even think about using bottled "sour mix," just go for real-deal margaritas.
Neighborhood Block-Party: Beaujolais and Burgers
Invite your neighbors over for a casual backyard party with Beaujolais wine and grilled burgers. Beaujolais wines from France (which are much more than just that 'Nouveau' stuff) are a great match for burgers because of their lively acidity, juicy fruitiness, and soft tannins. You can even drink the more youthful Beaujolais a little bit chilled, which is perfect for outdoor summertime sipping.
