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Happy Hour: Michlits Frizzante 2006 Rose Burgenland

partysugar — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:28:19 -0700

If you are looking for an interesting new wine to try, I highly recommend this sparkling Austrian Pinot Noir. I tasted it at a recent party for CandyBar - San Francisco's new dessert-only restaurant - and instantly fell in love with the pink champagne. Fizzy, light, and refreshing, this wine paired perfectly with savory appetizers and small sweets. Flavors of citrus mingle with a mineral undertone making it a complex, yet easily drinkable bubbly.

Michlits Frizzante 2006 Rose Burgenland is a popular wine-list wine, so look for it at your favorite wine bar. An exotic import that retails for only $19 - reasonable for the taste and quality -it's also a great wine to seek out for a celebration.

Come Party With Me: Harvest Party - Dessert

partysugar — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:15:03 -0700

A harvest party is an event that celebrates grape-picking, so I'm creating a menu that consists of dishes made with wine.

One of my favorite desserts to order when dining out is pears poached in wine. Although the technique is relatively simple, I've never poached pears at home.

That's why I plan to experiment with this recipe for pears simmered in pink Champagne. It's elegant and fruity, but not too rich or sweet. Oh and it can be made up to a week in advance! To look at the easy recipe, read more.

Champagne-Poached Pears
From Cookie

Ingredients

1 bottle champagne, preferably pink (about 3 1/2 cups)
1 cup sugar
Zest of 1/4 lemon
1 teaspoon rose water (optional)
1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise (optional)
2 large pears (such as Bosc) or 4 small pears (such as Seckel), peeled (firm, slightly underripe pears work best)

Directions

Combine all the ingredients except the pears in a pot and bring to a simmer.
Carefully lower the pears into the liquid (adding up to 1 cup water to make sure the fruit is fully submerged).
Simmer until the pears are tender, 15 to 17 minutes for small pears, 25 to 30 minutes for large ones.
Cool the pears in the cooking liquid for 30 minutes before serving, or store them in the refrigerator (still in the liquid) for up to a week.

Serves 2.

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Happy Hour: Codorníu Sparkling Pinot Noir Rosé

partysugar — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:15:23 -0700

My favorite dance scene from the 1963 Ann Margret musical Bye Bye Birdie is entitled "Lot of Livin to Do." In it, she sings of "drinking Champagne as if it were water." But, not just any Champagne - pink Champagne. When I was little, I too, dreamed of drinking pink Champagne as if it were water. Well as luck would have it, sometimes I do!

My current favorite "pink Champagne" is actually a sparkling Cava Pinot Noir Rosé from Spain. It's refreshingly dry with light airy bubbles. It's an elegant, yet playful wine that is both crisp and fruity. The aroma is reminiscent of berries and it has a light body that coats the tongue.

What I love most about this sparking Rosé is its easy drinkability. I've enjoyed it with everything from cheesy rich appetizers to roast chicken to a light green salad. The affordable $15 price is the icing on the cake. Do you sip sparkling Rosé?

How to Host an Office Baby Shower

partysugar — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 10:15:01 -0700

On certain occasions, say when someone is getting married or having a baby, it's fun to throw them a small sendoff celebration in the office. With a few simple decorations, you can easily transform any conference room. Recently, a baby shower was hosted for Lisa Sugar, here at Sugar headquarters. In less than 15 minutes, the room was ready for a party. Here's how you can achieve a similar effect:

Spread a large pink paper tablecloth across the table.
Arrange plastic champagne glasses in neat rows and fill with three kinds of sparkling Martinelli's.
Add streamers, confetti, and a baby girl sign. Don't forget themed napkins.
Purchase cupcakes from a local bakery (ours were from Kara's Cupcakes) and take them out of the box. Place on plastic or glass cake stands.
A homemade diaper "cake" is a focal point and centerpiece for the tablescape.

Voila! Instant office baby shower. Have you hosted a party in your office? Share your tips and ideas below.

To check out a bunch more photos of the decor, read more.

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Come Party With Me: Anniversary - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 09:15:27 -0700

The colors at my parents' wedding 33 years ago were pale green and pink. Thus, I'm incorporating these hues into the decor for their upcoming anniversary party. A picnic table looks sophisticated when covered with a frosty green tablecloth. Keep the servingware simple with white plates, unadorned Champagne flutes, and pink napkins. An elegant cocktail deserves a chic pitcher, so serve in a vase-shaped vessel. Display the carrot cake on a pretty cake stand. We'll arrange several beautiful bouquets of roses - they are my mom's favorite flowers. Printed pool towels add a punch of pattern to the look.

An Inside Look at San Francisco's Newest Cake Shop

partysugar — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 07:50:31 -0700

A couple of weeks ago I was invited to the opening of a new Miette shop in San Francisco's Marina district. Founded in 1991, Miette bakery is known for its charming cakes made with only the finest ingredients. With its pretty green walls and bright blue cake stands, the bakery is whimsical and beautiful. At the party, guests mingled with the owners while sipping on pink champagne and nibbling choquettes - a puffy, slightly sweet French dough ball. It was a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Have you been to Miette? What is your favorite local bakeshop like?

To take a closer look at the new Miette, read more.

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Happy Hour: Pop Champagne and Sparkling Rosé

YumSugar — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 12:01:18 -0800

I was out looking for a champagne for New Year's Eve when I came across these two little bottles of Pommery Pop champagne. The bright blue and pink quarter-sized bottles caught my attention from the other side of the room. One glance at the bold P-O-P lettering and colorful bottles and I was sold. I didn't even bother to read the description or rating; I just grabbed one of each and proceeded to the counter. Yes, I am a complete sucker for packaging, but the fact that it was called Pop and I happen to work at the home of PopSugar sort of closed the deal.

The blue is a standard dry champagne, with a nice fruit flavor. It's a tiny bit sweeter than your average dry champagne but is wonderfully smooth. The pink is a sparkling rosé that has a fresh, bright taste. The blend of different Chardonnays and Pinot wines, along with a dash of red wine, gives it a pale pink color and slight red currant flavor. Neither of them are run-out-and-purchase-immediately sort of champagnes, but they are quite tasty and not just a product of marketing. They're really fun, wonderfully transportable, and will bring a little pop to your next party. Oh and did I mention that you could theoretically drink it out of a straw?!

You can find both versions of Pop in individual bottles ($11.99) or you can buy them in packs of four ($39.99).

Come Party With Me: Valentine's Dinner For Two - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 09:15:14 -0800

When hosting a special dinner for your sweetie, don't be afraid to rearrange the furniture. I think it's most romantic to sit side by side at a long, bar-like table. The place settings should be the focal point. Start with textured red placemats. Serve the main course on white plates and the chocolate strawberry cupcakes on plates with a swirly heart design. Since it's a celebration (of your love!), use the good silverware. Set out both champagne flutes and red wine glasses. Create a glowing atmosphere with dimmed lights and candles in red votives. A bouquet of shocking pink roses is the perfect centerpiece.

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Come Party With Me: Romantic Valentine's Day Dinner - Drinks

partysugar — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 06:58:18 -0800

Valentine's Day is a short week away and if you have not made it over to your local wine shop do so now. Why you wonder? Well you don't want them to sell out of the best champagne! You can't enjoy the most romantic day of the year without enjoying a little bit of bubbly. I'm planning a romantic dinner for you and your significant other (I'm single so I'll be sipping my sparkly with the gals). I started on Monday by creating a love note invitation and yesterday I planned out a savory seductive meal perfect for snuggling over. Today I'm discussing the drinks for this private little party of 2 and it's all about the bubbly, baby! To see my wine recommendations (and cocktail ideas) read more

Treat you and your honey to a nice bottle of champagne. If you don't know much about sparkling wine, ask the sommelier at your local wine store for help. Stay clear of large supermarkets where the sales clerks will know little about wine and instead hit up large specialty stores like Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, or Cost Plus World Market (or any place where they have in store wine specialists). My picks for Napa Valley sparklers are: Roderer Estate Anderson Valley Brut and 1996 Iron Horse LD Green Valley Blanc de Blancs. If you prefer real champagne from France, try 1998 Piper-Hiedsieck Brut Vintage or 1988 Vueve Clicquot Ponsardin Rare Vinatge.

Pink Champagne (commonly referred to as Rosé) is another fun option because it is a pale pink color that will add a touch of Valentine charm to the meal. If you are against serving champagne, pour a French white such as a Pouilly-Fume or Sancerre to pair with the clams. With the main course, pour a red Zinfandel or Pinot Nior (I am really into Pinot Noir's right now).

If you and your man are hard liquor drinkers, make vodka or gin tonics festive by tossing in a few fresh raspberries. Likewise, if your guy is a hardcore beer drinker be sure to have plenty of his favorite beer on ice. For a special treat for yourself, make my favorite champagne cocktail, the fuchsia hued Kir Royale. Buy a few mini bottles if you don't want to drink an entire bottle of champagne.

What are you planning on drinking at your Valentine's Day dinner? Tell me about it below. Next up on the romantic meal plan: the decor (which is going to be super sexy) so come back tomorrow for more.

Come Party With Me: KatieSugar's First Birthday Party - The Look

partysugar — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 05:57:31 -0700

KatieSugar sure is growing up fast. Just this morning she was using her walker to toddle around the room and nobody could work because she was being way too adorable to ignore. A girl as special as lil'sugar deserves the most fabulous 1st birthday celebration. Naturally her parents turned to me to deal with all of the party planning details. So I got busy earlier this week (her birthday is June 1 and we want the invites to be sent at least three weeks in advance) making the invitation, creating a delicious menu of miniature party food, and coming up with a couple of all-pink drinks. Today I'm designing the look, inspired by the pink stripes that grace the walls of Katie's bedroom, so for the details read more

Since this is for a child's birthday keep the decorations fun, young, and fabulous.

Cover the ceiling of the party with pink balloons and long pink ribbons. These balloons will filter and reflect the natural daylight (the party is at 1pm) creating a beautiful rosy glow.
Fill vases with fresh pink tulips with long stems. Steer clear from using pink roses this isn't a wedding and you want the feel to remain casual.
Dress the tables in pink and white striped tablecloths.

Arrange the food on large pink platters garnished with pink berries and have pink striped cocktail napkins and white plates for the finger foods.
Fill bowls with tiny pink candies and more berries.
Arrange clear glass pitchers of the Pink Lemonade and Watermelon Martini on the bar. Fill a large silver tin with ice for beer and pink champagne.

To take the party outdoors line the pillars of your deck (or fence if you don't have a deck) with alternating pink and white streamers.
With thick pink ribbon tie bows to the back of chairs, around vases and on doorknobs.

For a fun game ask guests to send you a picture of themselves on their first birthday. Pin to a large cork bulletin board or arrange on your bulletin board and have everyone try and guess whose 1st birthday baby picture is who.
Give guests an old fashioned pink and white lollipop as a party favor.

Got a perfectly pink party decoration idea for KatieSugar's 1st birthday bash?? Share your ideas with us below!