Celebration-Worthy Sippers for All Budgets

I love that social media quote that’s making the rounds: “Love isn’t cancelled, dancing isn’t cancelled, having fun isn’t cancelled…”

As that meme pops up now and again on my feeds, I enthusiastically respond, “NO! They’ve just been postponed!” The cat – the only one to hear me – emphatically agrees, by the way.

But now that Toronto is cautiously tiptoeing into Phase 3, perhaps postponed is now just pivoting … instead of gala weddings for 500, an intimate celebration for 50 is even more special. In place of a blow-out fundraising bash, a thoughtful online experience truly underscores the real message. And while it would have been great to mark a well-earned retirement with all the bells and whistles, a simple, but meaningful, backyard barbecue is just perfect.

It's been my experience over these last few months that those companies and couples needing to figure something else out to engage clients, reward staff and mark milestones, are…. Okay with smaller replacements for the grand experiences of yesteryear.

And until those wonderful, dynamic, exciting large-scale events return, maybe it gives us all a chance to concentrate on quality over quantity, expanding our minds and flexing our creativity to bring the awe-inspiring magic the way all of us always do. The way we always have.

For my part, I’m enjoying experimenting and experiencing what can be done smaller, more distanced, or virtually. Requests for intimate, in-person events are coming back, and virtual experiences are increasing every day with savvy meeting and event planners finding new and creative ways to engage and inspire. It’s actually kind of… dare I say it?... Fun.

Of course, flexibility is key and meeting – and exceeding – budgets is the name of the game as we all still face an uncertain economic future.

Here are some great wine options for all budgets for the summer gatherings you may be planning.

Bubbles:

Any celebration calls for a bit of spritz. From sparkling cocktails to classy cocktail hours, get your fabulous self some fizz.

 - De Chanceny Rosé Brut Crémant de Loire, France
 - Queenston Mile Brut Blanc de Noirs, VQA Dt David’s Bench, Niagara

White:

Crisp and refreshing for day, rich and inviting for night. That’s my kind of diurnal shift.

 - Clean Slate Riesling, Mosel, Germany
 - Marchand-Tawse Viré-Classé, Burgundy, France

Rosé:

Is a rosé by any other producer just as sweet? Hopefully not. There’s a lot of pink wine flooding the market right now, and not all of them are impressive. But these, I think, are excellent choices to rosé all day. 

 - Cabriz Rosé, Portugal
 - Hecht & Bannier Coteaux d’Aixen Provence Rosé, France

Red:

I don’t want to say this out loud, but have you noticed the blistering hot days are starting to give way to comfortable evenings? Perhaps even requiring a light sweater once the sun goes down? Bring me a cozy red, STAT!

 - Torres Gran Coronas Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, Penedès, Spain
 - Esporão Riserva Red Blend, Alentejo, Portugal

Bonus!

If you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or dock party these tiny tipples in cans and half bottles are not only on-trend tasty sippers, but also look super cute thrown into a decorative bucket full of ice, or lined up on a bar.

 - Stratus Wildass Rosé in a can (250 ml), VQA Niagara Peninsula
 - Charles Baker Riesling in a can (250 ml), VQA Niagara Peninsula
 - Henkell Trocken or Rosé Piccolo (375 ml bottle)

About the Author:

Erin Henderson, The Wine Sisters

Erin Henderson is the founder and Chief Sommelier of The Wine Sisters, a Toronto-based wine events and sommelier services agency. For more information you can visit thewinesisters.com or follow them on Instagram @The_Wine_Sisters