Discover Spring Wine Pairings with Valley Commons

We can all feel the Vitamin D increasing with Spring on it’s way! That also means we are coming out of social hibernation and starting to think of entertaining guests again.

Valley Commons just released their Spring Wine Pairings for your next dinner party just in time. Take a look:

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🍷 2022 Rosé Frizzante: made with 100% Gamay grapes from the South Okanagan. Everything summer in a glass; strawberry, raspberry, rhubarb, and fresh crisp field berries. The fruity notes are carried along with soft delicate bubbles on the finish.

Pairs with: an excellent palate cleanser and the perfect addition to appetizers such as fresh oysters, smoked salmon dip & creamy soft cheeses.

🍷 2022 Viognier: since its initial release last year, this Viognier has been THE top selling wine. It was also recognized with a silver medal at the 2023 Wine Align awards. The palate displays notes of crunchy nectarine, mango, rose water and ginger.

Pairs with: The tropical stone fruit and honeysuckle notes in the Viognier will pair beautifully with herb-roasted pork loin with gremolata, salmon wellington or lavender infused honey roast turkey.

🍷 2021 Harvest Table Red: A playful and approachable red blend of 58% Merlot, 42% Cab Franc. The nose is youthful with vibrant red currants and raspberry notes, while on the palate it exudes juicy blackberry, black currents, fresh raspberry, and toasted baking spices.

Pairs with: This red wine pairs excellent with beef tenderloin with a red wine reduction sauce that complements the fruity and spicy characteristics of the red blend, creating a luxurious and flavorful combination for dinner.

Gather around with family and friends…with this [Spring] pack of wines, curated specifically for your holiday dinner.

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Five things to know if you are serving alcohol at your wedding

If you're planning to serve alcohol at your wedding, there are several important things you need to know to ensure that everything goes smoothly. From legal requirements to practical considerations, here are five essential things to keep in mind:

1. Check Local Laws and Regulations

Before you even begin planning your wedding, it's crucial to research local laws and regulations regarding alcohol service. Depending on your location, there may be restrictions on the types of alcohol you can serve, the hours during which you can serve it, and the licensing and insurance requirements you need to meet. Make sure you understand these regulations and factor them into your plans.

2. Hire a Professional Bartender or Caterer

Unless you're planning a very small and casual wedding, it's usually best to hire a professional bartender or catering company to handle alcohol service. Not only will they be experienced in serving large crowds, but they'll also have the necessary licenses, insurance, and equipment to ensure that everything is safe and legal. Additionally, they'll be able to help you choose the right types and amounts of alcohol to serve based on your budget and guest preferences.

3. Offer Non-Alcoholic Options

While alcohol is often a big part of wedding celebrations, it's important to remember that not everyone drinks or wants to drink. To be inclusive of all your guests, make sure you offer a variety of non-alcoholic options, such as soda, juice, and water. You could also consider serving mocktails or other creative alcohol-free drinks that everyone can enjoy.

4. Plan for Transportation and Accommodations

One of the biggest risks associated with alcohol service at weddings is drunk driving. To help mitigate this risk, consider arranging for transportation options for your guests, such as a shuttle or ride-sharing service. You could also offer accommodations for guests who need a place to stay overnight, such as booking a block of rooms at a nearby hotel.

5. Set Clear Limits and Expectations

Finally, it's important to set clear limits and expectations for alcohol service at your wedding. This includes things like establishing a last call time, providing plenty of food to help guests pace themselves, and designating someone to monitor guests' alcohol consumption and intervene if necessary. By setting these expectations upfront, you can help ensure that everyone has a fun and safe time at your wedding.

In summary, serving alcohol at a wedding can be a great way to celebrate, but it requires careful planning and consideration. By following these five tips, you can help ensure that your wedding is a memorable and enjoyable experience for all your guests.

Looking for a mobile bar and quality bartending? Let us know the details of your event, and we’ll send you a custom proposal!

3 Myths about Mocktails

Alcohol-Free drinks have become more of a popular choice in the last couple of years and it seems the popularity isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

Baby Showers, Anniversaries, Weddings and Social Events need to have at least one alcohol-free option for those abstaining. Tamp & Muddle Co. loves to cater for these ones, so we thought we’d share 3 myths about Mocktails!

As an Amazon Associate, some product links in this article I get commission for. I only share products I love and recommend!

1. Mocktails just taste like juice

   It is true, when little thought goes into making a mocktail, it can taste just like juice. I’m here to tell you though, Mocktails have really upped their game. With QUALITY ingredients, they can taste like the real thing.

   Especially with more companies like Seedlip and Ritual Zero Proof creating non-alcholic spirits, along with artisanal tonics like Fever Tree it’s pretty hard to tell the difference.

Ritual Zero Proof Spirits

That being said, quality ingredients mean that it takes a little more effort to make. Which leads us into the next myth:

2. Mocktails are cheaper than cocktails

We’d like to think they are! I’ll tell you how we personally learned they certainly are not. Last Fall, we catered the drinks for a private after-wedding shower (the couple got married in Italy…so dreamy!). The venue did not allow alcohol on the premises, so we had to get creative. Pricing out a signature Italy-inspired mocktail was shocking! It worked out to be the same as the alchoholic version simply because the ingredients had to be high quality. The other challenge was FINDING the quality ingredients in time.

I wanted to create this limoncello mocktail which called for LaCroix LimonCello flavored Sparkling Water Well, do you think I could find it in our local stores? Not a chance. This was where planning far enough in advance is key, especially if you are set on a particular drink.

Our couple ended up opting for dealcoholized beer, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I’m a beer lover, and I ended up purchasing the Blonde Lager and Red Ale for myself because it tasted pretty darn close to the real thing. During the week, nothing beats a nice cold beer after work! (well except for alcoholic beer).

Moral of the Story: MOCKTAILS ARE NOT CHEAPER, and PLAN AHEAD.

3. mOCKTAILS ARE EASY TO MAKE

The truth is: it can actually be harder to make a mocktail that tastes foolproof than a typical cocktail with alcohol. This goes in line with the previous myth. “Making” in this sense comes down to mixology. When you have tried and true recipes, that’s a different story. But it’s still just as much WORK as mixing alcohol. You are still sourcing good quality ingredients, still preparing garnishes (sometimes even more extravagently) and you are still exerting yourself to muddle, shake and stir. So next time you are planning a Dry January Event, or hosting a baby shower, factor in the cost of hiring a bartender the same way you would for a boozy affair.

Let us know in the comments if you learned something from this, or if you already knew these things about mocktails. We love providing a fun and easy social experience, which includes serving non-alcoholic events. Book with us for your next event!