This summer we moved into a section of a neighborhood where everyone is new. New houses are being built every .236 seconds, which means there are new people, new families and new faces to meet. To me, this is exciting and is an opportunity to meet new people and make new friends. To the introverts in my family, this is terrifying and my excitement is possibly annoying. But that’s okay! The introverts and extroverts in this world balance each other out quite well don’t you think?
After we moved in, it seemed like a whirlwind of busyness hit. Summer fun, then school – which meant a plethora of school activities. You know how it goes. Just busy. So you casually wave to your neighbors, never really stopping to catch their names, or if you do…you forget them by the time you shut your front door.
I have a belief system that we should know our neighbors. Really know them. Like, “Oh my goodness I’m baking cookies and don’t have a cup of sugar. Please go ask Jane next door!”. Or “Oh my gosh, my car won’t start. Hey Fred, do you have any jumper cables?” You know…neighbors helping neighbors. I’m not talking about being best friends. If that happens, awesome. I’m talking about building a community around those you live by and see (or maybe you never see each other because you rush inside!) on daily basis.
This is where my cocktail party idea comes into play. It’s the Holidays and I want to meet my neighbors. Okay, so I’ve actually already met them all, but I want all of us to meet each other. So, I’m planning a little end of the street get to-gether. Some party food and sparkling wine courtesy of Freixenet (pronounced “fresh-eh-net”) are the perfect ingredients to get this party started.
We have people in our home a lot and one thing I have learned is, people do not want nor do they like over the top. They don’t like super fancy foods they can’t pronounce or a house that looks like it’s never been lived in. (Full disclosure: I’m still working on this always clean house fact.) They want to walk in the door in feel at home. So try not to stress. Easier said than done if you’re not used to having people over, I know.
Alright, about these Freixenet Sparkling Wines. Here’s what I set up on my party table and a little information about each wine.
Cordon Negro Brut is Freixenet’s most popular cava, often referred to as the “Black Bottle Bubbly.” It is the #1 imported sparkling wine in the world and still ideal for any occasion. Isn’t the Black Bottle gorgeous? I love it and love how it stands out on a table. Don’t you?
Freixenet’s Cordon Negro Brut is crisp, clean, and well balanced. It is medium-bodied with a palate of apple, pear and bright citrus flavors with a moderately long finish and a crisp touch of ginger. This wine is extremely versatile and pairs well with most foods, including spicy cuisine.
Cordon Negro Sweet Cuvée is for those that enjoy the sweeter things in life. On the palate it’s fruity with ripe summer peaches, and tropical fruit, culminating in a long, silky sweet finish. It pairs well with crème brûlée and other desserts. This sweet sparkler pairs well with a variety of dishes and cuisine, ranging from tried and true pairings like oysters, seafood, and desserts, to more surprising pairings like spicy foods, pizza, and popcorn.
I set the table with cheese and crackers, mozzarella with prosciutto and basil, nuts, pretzels, olives and cookies for those with a sweet tooth. You’ll also notice a glass container full of popcorn. I’m a movie buff and have a deep, deep love for popcorn. So the fact that Freixenet Cordon Negro Sweet Cuvée goes oh so well with popcorn makes me one very happy girl. This would be perfect for an at-home movie date with my husband. (Are you reading this hubby?)
Since it’s the Holidays, I also added some festive touches like a sled, a Santa hat, Holiday candles and confetti sprinkled on the table.
Are you ready to throw a party and try Freixenet for yourself? Great! Freixenet is widely available nationwide in restaurants, wine stores and grocery stores as common as Whole Foods, Trader Joes and Publix. The bottles have a suggested retail price of $12.
Did you know there are Freixenet Sparkling Mini Coopers touring the nation?It’s true. Did you know you could enter to win one? That’s also true. Go find the hidden bubbled to enter at www.findthebubbles.com. FUN!
Who says the holidays are the only time for bubbles? Make it your resolution to sparkle 365 days of the year with Freixenet cavas. Our sparkling wines come in a variety of different styles to suit any moment or mood. Cordon Negro Brut, our classic Black Bottle Bubbly, is great as an aperitif before a night out on the town or at home with takeout pizza. Our brand new Cordon Negro Sweet Cuvee is the perfect match for brunch favorites like pancakes and eggs benedict. Visit FreixenetUSA.com for more information about where to buy Freixenet sparkling wines and learn how you could win a 2-year lease on a new 2013 MINI Cooper.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Freixenet. The opinions and text are all mine.
