So, you secured a date with the hottie you've been admiring for weeks. Can you go BYOB for the first date? Why not! Don't fear looking cheap or worse, worry about selecting the wine. Ugh! What to bring?
BYOB is one of my favorite ways to dine. Not only do you get to bring the wine you want to sip, it's a fun adventure figuring out the perfect selection - and you save money for that second date.
Finding the right wine should be fun, not a chore. It's like being a detective. All you have to do is gather and sort clues. Let's Go!
- · Where to go for dinner? A fun choice is Thai food. Not only won't it bust the piggy bank, but the menu offers a wide selection of sweet, spicy and savory.
- · How to select a wine: First, decide how much you want to spend. Be honest. What price range fits comfy into your financial situation or dating desires? Set a dollar limit and most important, stick with it. Don't let a pushy salesperson sway you to go for the "better," more expensive bottle. Pricey doesn't always mean tasty. Many inexpensive wines are terrific, while there are heaps of dreadful expensive wines.
- · What types of wine goes well with Thai food? The rule of thumb is to select a wine that is sweeter than the food and sauce - that goes for red, white and rose wines. While dry, bold Cabernet Sauvignon may be great with a simply prepared juicy sirloin, it can taste tart or thin sipped alongside meat marinated in a pungent BBQ sauce. Similarly, sipping an oaky Chardonnay with bright, crunchy veggies may make the wine taste watery or medicinal.
When pairing wine and food, a good starting point is to think "similar - similar." Choose a muscular wine for robust grub and bright, grassy vino for crunch salads and various green things. For instance, a ripe dark fruit-driven Shiraz will match masterfully with a heady BBQ sauce, while a muscular Malbec or Zinfandel sporting a splash of spice rocks with grilled meats and dishes in black bean sauce.
In white world, go for clean, crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Chablis with leafy greens and pick up a Riesling for those ooh, la-la spicy dishes. Riesling has wonderful acidity and comes in a variety of styles from bone dry - to somewhat sweet - to dessert sweet. While, Rose's subtle red fruit, bright acidity and soft tannins go great with Asian food (picnics too), making it a sexy sipping selection.
Stefani Jackenthal, President of NTS Wine Tasting LLC and author of WANDERLUST WINING, a fun, delicious guide to outdoor activities in wine regions across the USA. She crafts private & corporate wine tastings and teaches wine classes at 92y.org. www.stefjack.com * www.wanderlustwining.com www.facebook.com/wanderlust.wining *Twitter: @stefjackenthal
