When the doctor asks the “how many drinks a week” question I bet most of us say we’re social drinkers. That means something a little different to everyone. It could mean that at the end of a terrible day you sit on your couch and socialize with your best friend as you put down half a bottle of wine. It might mean that you dedicate one night a week to drinking cocktails because it’s the only time you get to meet up with friends who otherwise are spending time with their family. It could be that you have a few beers once a month at the alehouse during a professional networking event as you work to advance your career. Drinking levels are different for all of us and probably vary from week to week and month to month and as long as it’s kept in control we fit the definition.Social Drinker: (noun) a person who drinks alcoholic beverages usually in the company of others and is in control of his or her drinking. (courtesy: dictionary.com)
While most of us say we’re social drinkers we all could probably do a better job of adding alcohol education to that socializing. I’m not talking about alcoholism, though my all means I hope you help yourself and/or your friends if that is something that’s an issue. I’m taking about knowing more about what you drink in the company of others and mixing up what your normal social hour drink might be.
#5 RESOLVE TO CREATE A SOCIAL WINE/BEER/SPIRITS CLUB
Take your social drinking from this:
Seeking or enjoying the companionship of others; friendly; sociable; gregarious.
To this:
Pertaining to, devoted to, or characterized by friendly companionship or relations: a social club...of, pertaining to, connected with, or suited to polite or fashionable society: a social event.
Sure they might seem sort of the same but they’re different parts of the definition of social [soh-shuhl] (courtesy: dictionary.com). There is being social in the company of some you know and some you don’t and the act of being social in your own space, in the company of people who you know and trust.
Instead of heading out to a bar to meet up with friends, welcome them into the comfort of your own home. Most of us are struggling to make ends meet with mortgage payments right now or shelling out a fair share of rent so make use of that money you’re already paying. Turn Book Club into Wine Club and share life stories at home while you and your friends learn about the latest blend.
There are books and games that will help you make it happen. “The Wine Club” by Maureen Christian Petrosky serves as a 12 month guide to learning about wine with friends. Along with certain wine categories each month the book provides food recipes for the evening to compliment the tasting and tips on gadgets that are worth the money to make your home club even more fun.
‘Wine Teasers, Wine Game’ from ‘Fine Wine Games, Inc.’ is something that’s a little more casual. It offers cards to spur discussion, offer information and spark friendly competition for any kind of gathering. For Example: QUESTION: Being such a rebel, you want to order white wine with your steak. Which wine should you choose? Riesling, Chardonnay or Champagne? ANSWER: Chardonnay DISCUSSION: It is still true that white wines go well with white meats and red wines go well with red meats. However, our question points out one of the many exceptions to this rule. Chardonnay wines can be so bold and brassy that they are like red wines in disguise. For a hot summer cookout (I can’t wait), a lightly chilled Chardonnay will be a fine companion to a grilled steak.
While some are fairly primary, others are much more mind teasing - some even including song lyrics that include wine.
So forget your other half completed resolutions and get social this year - hide your unmentionable, take out the trash and open up your home. Pick a theme, have each guest bring a bottle and polish up your glasses for a great night in, that will lead to more socializing than your average night out.
(vintage Wine & Cheese Photos circa 2003 & 2009)
Entertaining Tip:
Stop by a local bead store and buy a pack of circular earring hoops with a small hole in one end to connect the hoop to itself. Grab a selection of beads (a couple more than your expected number of guests) then thread each bead onto a single hoop. Ask the store employee to bend them up for you at the shop so they hook into the hole of the hoop and you’ll leave with very simple, yet custom and ready to attach wine glass charms.
0 comments:
Post a Comment