I need an EASY themed appetizer party idea, any ideas?

Question

I am hosting a wine tasting and need to come up with a fun easy to do theme to decorate with and an couple of appetizers to go with the theme. The tasting party will be outside, dockside at a lake. I don't want the usual luau theme. My dock is one of 10 stops on a wine tasting cruise and I want my stop to stand out above the rest. There will be a red and a white wine served at each house, I am not sure of the type yet. HELP!

Answer 1

If you serve Italian Wine, have an Italian Theme. Have the Flag, and Italian Snacks. If it is Swiss, or French go that way with that type of food.There should be covers for the wine bottles also, so no one knows what they are drinking and a scoresheet for wine 1 ..2...3... and a spot ratings. Maybe make it multiple choice.. 1. Dry 2. Too Sweet, etc. You should probably have a place for people to spit out the wine, if they really didn't like it. However, most people will not spit it out. But do serve mild cheeses (brie in a crust heated in the oven is nice) and crackers, or bread so guests can clean their palates between wines. Don't serve anything too sweet for an appetizer. Should have selection of 4 or 5 whites and 4 or 5 reds from the region. However if they are going from dock to dock, you should probably coordinate with the other hosts to see what they are having so as not to duplicate your efforts.
You will be surprized at how many people think they are wine experts and chose a cheap wine! Have fun!

Answer 2

Do a Spanish themed Tapas party. Wrap anything you can with ivy, grapes and white chrismas lights. Post a big Spanish flag at the end of your dock. On the tables frame prints of Spanish themed things, Flamenco Dancers, Bull Riding, the sea, scenes of the major cities and sites. Have some Flamenco music in the background.

As for food I would keep it really easy. I am not sure where you live, but at most major supermarkets now you can get most things that you need. Make little placecards with the wine that you feel would go best with the tapas next to the dishes. For example: You could have a manchego cheese and grilled chorizo tray with a full bodied red. Another option is figs wrapped in ham with a Pinot Noir. Or an eggplant dip served with crusty bread and a cabernet. Lest you forget the spanish olives.

Answer 3

Either pick your wines first, or pick your food first. It will make it easier to pair the two together,. You know more about that then I do, and it is simple enough to do a web search for a pairings of foods to your choices of the reds and whites. One suggestion I do have if you want to WOW your guests is to serve mini crab cakes and oysters on the 1/2 shell. If you don't want to do the uppity, uppity thing, look at this web site. http://www.azcentral.com/home/wine/articles/0606winesnacks0606.html. For decorating ideas, click on my avatar, look at page 3 of my answers to a wine tasting party ideas. ( I know there is an easier way to do it, but I don't know how ) I would also suggest you line your pier with white paper bag luminaries, so you can be seen from a distance. I know you don't want anything " luauish ", but I would recommend tiki torches to keep the mosquitoes away. Michale's craft store has them on sale for $1.00 ( if any are left ) Put the bag luminaries all around the party area. I've gone on too long. Have a great party!!!

Answer 4

You could buy ones that are already frozen from Sams Club or BJ's or even Walmart: Mozzerella Sticks w/ sauce Breadsticks w/ sauce Taquitos Potato Skins Chicken Fingers Chips and dip (queso, guacamole, cheeseball, salsa) Chicken Wings (BBQ or Hot Wings) Veggie Tray Fruit Tray Meat and Cheese tray w/ min sandwiches (use dinner rolls for the bread) Cocktail sausages in BBQ sauce (kept warm in a crockpot) Homemade soup (not really an appetizer, but usually goes well with them) Mini burgers (you can make your own or buy the White Castle mini burgers in the frozen food section) pigs in a blanket cupcakes mini ice cream cups juice boxes

Answer 5

how about a chocolate party! it would be unique and u could serve dessert wines. serve chocolate fondue with strawberries, pretzels etc. put out chocolate kisses, chocolate mints etc. u could use one of those choc fountains! or just find a really pretty warming dish and put a tealight under it. the guests could dip their own fruits! party stores carry picks in various styles!decorate w/ a love theme. use red and white roses. use red accents on ur serving table. scatter petals on the dock. have tons of candles lit in a variety of holders all over the place. and u can rim the glasses w/ cocoa powder!!!! had it 1 time and it was soo different! you could rim the white wine glasses w/ sugar and the red w/ cocoa. ask to be the last stop if possible! it would be such a romantic setting for the end of ur cruise! talk about standing out! sounds awesome to me!

Answer 6

I don't know much about wine, don't like the taste myself, but I I looked on the net and found these two sites. The first is just really good appetizer recipes and the second in specific recipes for red and white wines. Good Luck!

Answer 7

Have the appetizers be a compliment to the wine. So just pick all the food that pairs well with the wine. That way it'll enhance the flavors and your guests will enjoy it more.

Answer 8

i would have done a "by the bay" (sea shells, lil boats, fishing , seagulls, pier, lighthouse, sand castle" kinda theme....

that forms around appetizers like:

miniature crab cakes,
mini lobster rolls,
mini cup of pureed corn chowder (that's smooth) with probably a piece of small scallop skewered over the cup,
and stuffed baked clams

served them with a Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc

Answer 9

I have sevral ideas.

Italian courtyard- serv bagette with pesto and goat cheese. beautiful red dercor

blue and gold- beutiful and so summery.

costal living- bags of sea glass and sea shells. serve fresh fruit and cool surf and turf food. the theme doent really matter just being with pals and engaging yourself in converstaion

Answer 10

Why not a Swedish theme.Then do the Swedish meatball,Swiss cheese on pretzel sticks.Google and see what others are under Swedish appetizers.hope this helps.