Red, White & Blush

This is an easy and fun wine game to play at your next 4th of July get together.  All you need is 3 wines and 3 cheeses. This is a great way to start off your party.

Wine & cheese appetizer pairing game

1. Get three bottles of wine, a red, white, and blush. Decorate them with patriotic items from the dollar store. Decorate the red wine with red items, white with white items and the blush with blue items.
2. Get three cheeses, one that pairs exceptionally well with each wine (suggestions below).
3. Have everyone sip the white wine first and take a bite of each cheese, then have them say which cheese paired best with the wine.
4. Next have them sip the blush wine and taste the three cheeses again, and have them pick the cheese that paired best with the blush wine.
5. The final wine sampled should be the red because it has more tannins and if you have your guest sample this wine first it may alter their taste experience.

After everyone has finished all three tastings and given their comments let them know which cheese the experts paired with each wine.

A fun variation to this game is to give everyone three small slips of paper with their name and color of wines on it, then have them place the slip of paper next to the cheese that best suits that type of wine, example:

• Carrie – Red    (put next to the cheddar cheese for a winner)
• Carrie – White
• Carrie – Blush

Here are choices to help you choose what wines & cheeses to serve:

White wine

• Moscato (sweet)
  • Cheese –  Gorgonzola, mild Brie or aged soft Goat Cheese
• Reisling (sweet to semi dry)
  • Cheese – Pick from Monterey Jack, Muenster
• PinotGrio (dry)
  • Cheese – Pick from Fontina, Monterey Jack, Muenster

Blush

• Zinfandel (medium & fruity)
  • Cheese – Romano

Red

• Cabernet Sauvignon (big, bold, dry)
  • Cheese –  Cheddar

The 4th of July will be here before you know it. Take time to enjoy friend, family, and a little wine.

Cheers – Carrie