Here’s what I’m drinking at my bachelorette party
Gone are the days of cheap shots and two-buck chuck — for me, anyway. After a decade of serious wine-tasting experience and working in the wine industry, I have my wine-list-curation down to an art and a science for every occasion.
Italian dinner party? I’ve got the Barbera! Girls’ brunch? Hold my bubbly. Tinned fish and tacos? Take my tempranillo!
But I’ve never made this wine list before. It definitely steals from the “Girls’ Brunch” category with a dollop of “Fancy Night In” for good measure.
Here’s how I’m stocking up my trunk for my bachelorette weekend with the gals.
Low-Cost Bubbles
Low-cost doesn’t have to mean cheap and crappy. It just has to be tasty, quaffable, and fairly well made.
A really cool discovery has been traditional method sparkling wine from Italy. Franciacorta is the famous “Champagne of Italy”, producing some excellent bubbly at a much more affordable price than Champagne (although there are some rather pricey ones, too). Spanish Cava is also an excellent find for quality bubbly without the crazy prices.
Ferrari Brut is another great option, and while it’s not exactly Franciacorta, it’s still a fantastic Italian bubbly for the price. I’m getting a bunch of this to keep us well-stocked for mimosas, poolside sips, and maybe a spritz or two. It’s good enough to drink alone, but also not so fancy that you feel bad for mixing it with Kirkland OJ.
Decadent Bubbles
There’s a time for saving on bubbly, and there’s a time for going all out. When it’s time to enjoy the most special moments — toasting your besties and starting the night on a high note — that’s when my good stuff makes an appearance. (And then it returns to the shelf while we move on to the rest of the drinks).
For me, this is where some of my favorite Champagnes come out. I’m excited to open a Louis Roederer I have squirreled away (I actually love the Collection series, which is pretty affordable for a Champagne). There may or may not be a bottle of Dom Perignon tucked away inside my luggage. On the rosé side, I love the Champagne Henriot Brut Rosé and Laurent-Perrier Cuvee Rose.
Of course, you could go way more expensive here, like Ruinart Rosé or a vintage Krug and up, which I wouldn’t turn down, but I’m on a budget over here.
Tasty Rosé
Rosé is my favorite everyday wine, so you can bet it’s going to have a prominent place at my bachelorette, wedding, and any party I throw.
There’s just something about a wine you can drink all day, all night, all the time. It’s light enough to pair with all the apps and snacks. It’s flavorful enough to drink alone, over a period of time. It’s refreshing for a warm day or a hot meal. It’s perfect for sipping while lounging at the pool, or getting ready to go out. And it’s approachable enough for (most) everyone to enjoy.
No one’s ever been offended by rosé. And if they were, they probably weren’t my friend in the first place.
So for my bachelorette, I’m bringing enough Flowers Rosé to fuel a poolside rager. I love Flowers in general (the estate and wines are so beautiful), so this rosé is a natural choice for me.
Watermelon Margaritas
(Most) everyone loves tequila. And if they don’t, they will when they drink a well-made fruity margarita. Plus, nothing gets a party started like tequila.
So for my bachelorette’s “welcome hour” when guests are showing up, a delicious watermelon margarita is the first thing they’ll be greeted with. Sweet enough to go down easy, but not so sweet that we’re getting headaches two hours in.
In my house we use Espolòn as our go-to tequila for mixed drinks (don’t even get my Chicano fiancé started on all the celebrity brands!). For something a bit nicer, Casa Dragones Blanco is a great way to level things up (and their Joven sipping tequila is his absolute favorite). I’m also a fan of Casa Azul which is organic and additive-free, and if we’re really celebrating, that’s when the Don Julio 1942 comes out.
Some Special Reds
Every now and then I peer into the back of my wine fridge and discover some really great bottles I’ve forgotten about. They’re mostly CA and Oregon Pinot Noirs, some Napa Cabs, and a few cool Syrahs. They’re not all expensive, but they are really good.
For these kinds of bottles, I want to save them to pair with a great meal but also to share with friends who will enjoy them as much as I do. They’re for the “before the meal and going into the meal” times, when you can really taste the wine, pick out your favorite parts, and then try it with the food to see how it’s changed.
So, I’m pulling out a few older bottles that are waiting for the right occasion, from some favorite wineries like Cristom, Rose & Arrow, Bergstrom, Deovlet, Ridge, Daou, Foxen, and Brick Barn. A few were even acquired with some of my bachelorette guests, so that will be a nice full circle moment.
One or Two Baller Bottles
Do I have some very fine, rather pricey bottles that have just been sitting around collecting dust? Are there some exceptional Napa bottles I forgot about? Do I need an excuse to drink them? Will my fiancé notice they’re gone? Only Mr. Dom and Opus will know the answers.