Special Occasions Call For Special Wines

(NewsUSA) - With its diverse range of varieties and flavors, quality wine can complement the spirit of any celebration, whether guests are gathering for a wedding, graduation or other important milestone.

To pick the perfect wines for your next event, offer a range of options to suit guests' tastes. On average, approximately 30 percent to 50 percent of guests will drink white wine, 30 percent to 50 percent will drink red wine and 10 percent to 20 percent will drink blush wine. In addition, women tend to be white wine drinkers, while men more often prefer red wine.

Also, consider the time of year when serving certain wines. Reds work well in autumn and winter, while rose and citrusy white wines are a refreshing choice for a spring or summer event. A full-bodied white like chardonnay offers a perfect year-round choice.

Next, consider what entree you are serving and select wines that will enhance the food. For red wines, merlot and cabernet complement beef dishes or pastas with red sauces. Chardonnay is a widely popular, versatile white wine that pairs well with poultry dishes, pork, veal, seafood or recipes featuring a cream base.

For special occasions, look into award-winning wines, such as Viansa Winery & Italian Marketplace's 2005 "Cento Per

Cento" Estate Chardonnay (www.viansa.com). Produced in California's Sonoma Valley, this wine was awarded a Double Gold Medal and chosen as "Best of Class" at the 2007 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, dubbed the largest competition of American wines in the world.

If hors d'oeuvres will be served, break out the bubbly. Choose from festive sparkling wines or champagne. You'll also want to have a champagne or sparkling wine for toasting.

Finally, determine how much you're willing to spend, and realize that price is not always a direct reflection of quality. In your quest for the perfect wines for your event, rely on a good wine merchant who can help you select wines that will suit your guests' tastes as well as your budget. The most reliable stores hand-pick their wines based on actual tastings.