What you need to host the best ever online Christmas party this year – Wine
Festivities will be different, but McGuigan Wines are here to help
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Face coverings, tiers and social distancing: we know our Christmas celebrations are shaping up a little differently for 2020. Even Bo-Jo admitted it when England went into a second lockdown in November, on telling the nation “Christmas is going to be different this year” POOF! The ghost of Christmas future (and present) had spoken and we saw our festive plans evaporate.
The impromptu pub drinks with friends, carol concerts, tickets to The Nutcracker and the all-important office Christmas party that usually mark our seasonal countdown are still as good as cancelled. What does this mean for our Christmas? Well, it's certainly not cancelled. Before we all cry ‘bah humbug’, hope is not lost.
The truth is we can all still have the best of Christmas fun times, mistletoe kissing (if you're in a bubble) and cheer with our friends, family and work colleagues: we're just going to be at home and probably back on our laptops. GROAN!
We all reached “peak Zoom fatigue” in the first lockdown, but bear with us — did you have Australia’s leading wine producer on side back then? We didn't think so. You also didn't have this guide to the best festive online party possible.
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We have teamed up with McGuigan Wines to help you celebrate with a suitably jolly red nose – and glass of red – this year, so keep reading for lots of ideas and tips on how to make this Christmas count.
McGuigan has been based in the world famous Hunter Valley wine region in New South Wales, Australia, since the 1880s. All that experience producing wine and winning a heap of awards, combined with a laid-back Australian charm, means you are in good hands here. And the wine tasting jaunts we have in store are free from any snobbiness whatsoever.
First we need to firstly eradicate any notions that this will be a second-rate experience. You can still connect with people you love and get stuck in awkward conversations with people you don't love that much (thanks Zoom rooms), don't you worry. The pandemic will not stop you getting dressed up, dancing to loud music, eating tasty snacks or drinking amazing wine this year, and it'll be in the comfort of your own home. NO last minute four times surge pricing Ubers anywhere in sight.
A truly great online Christmas party this year needs to offer all of the things that are fantastic about real festive get-togethers – the food, drink, an opportunity to blow off steam, bond with colleagues and catch up with friends and family. You also get to avoid the things we are less fond of like bad secret Santa gifts, minus zero temperatures and bar queues. And just to really hammer this home: NO UBERS.
What we are trying to say is there are ways to create really intimate, memorable events and ritzy blow outs that are merely different to real-life, not just a substitute. It’s been an emotional rollercoaster of a year and you deserve to have some fun. Want some ideas on how to get the party started? We have some crackers.
10 ways to spice up your online Christmas party
1. #BringaMcGuigan
Let's start with an easy (and delicious) one. Whatever kind of online party you're hosting this year, order in a few bottles of McGuigan Wines. From work colleagues, to friends, to family, #BringaMcGuigan to the proceedings and you're guaranteed a good time.
2. Christmas conference calls
If a day-time nod to a party is all you can manage with colleagues, this will add some festive cheer to your 10am. Go full Grinch or just pull on a Christmas jumper. Whatever you decided make sure your colleagues are in on the act or you’ll be “weird Dave in the green tights” for 2021.
3. Meals on wheels
This year you can enjoy a full-three course Christmas meal delivered to your door with festive “add ons” such as crackers and decorations. What, that means no washing up or supermarket shopping! Don't forget to pair it with a McGuigan wine, the Black Label Red will go with pretty much anything.
4. The 12 days of Cheesemas
This one is quite simple. Choose 12 cheeses — one for each day of Christmas — a selection of wine and then go on a magical tasting adventure. Kick things off with a McGuigan Reserve Sauvignon Blanc and go from there.
5. Jokes on Zoom
With live events cancelled right now, plenty of comedians are ready to flex their funny bones and tell jokes at your virtual party. Sure to get Gary from HR to crack a smile. First time for everything. There are also companies offering singing lessons with West End stars and magic shows with some fantastic magicians.
6. Secret Santa
Take the inexplicable joy of the office Secret Santa home this year by posting a gift to a random colleague – perhaps a bottle of McGuigan? To keep things fair you can use a Secret Santa generator online.
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7. Get your kit on
This is the year of the Christmas kit. Think festive cupcake decorating kits, mulled wine making kits (stay tuned for how to make the perfect mulled wine with McGuigan on FoodTribe very shortly), gingerbread house building kits. But is there a “take yourself off mute” kit for Barbara?
8. Dance party
Book a DJ and get up from your desk or kitchen tables for an end-of-play Christmas boogie. Disco outfits optional but make sure you bring your biggest moves ASAP.
9. Wine up, wine down
There’s also an opportunity to learn something new this year. Why not learn the basics of wine pairing with a tasting with our guide led by those wine experts at McGuigan. More on that later.
10. Movie night
Everyone deserves a screen break, so this idea doesn't involve video conferencing. But why not take position on the sofa and enjoy a bottle of Black Label Red? This is a wine that goes with, well... pretty much everything, so whether you're tucking into a delicious ragu, a pizza, or sticking with the popcorn, this bottle will be the perfect company for the evening.
...More tips on how to host a super fun and non-snobby wine tasting at home...
Why choose McGuigan Wines in the first place?
Because we love them! A contemporary brand built on traditional family values, McGuigan Wines is a leading Australian winemaker with Hunter Valley heritage dating back to the 1880s. Committed to a philosophy to always make the wine the hero, four generations of McGuigan family have shaped a legacy founded on quality, consistency and purity of craftsmanship, celebrated by international wine show success across the globe. Their longstanding heritage is complemented by a progressive spirit, continuing to innovate and make the world’s favourite grape varieties accessible to wine lovers across the globe while delivering unbeatable value.
The best thing about McGuigan Wines is that they are super easy to get hold of, you can stock up from all major supermarkets from Coop, Sainsbury's and Tesco, to smaller outlets online and even Amazon. Many of their white and sparkling wines are vegan friendly. Everyone can order up a few bottles for Christmas!
Now for that festive tasting sesh... There’s no right or wrong answers, it’s all a bit of fun, let us know if you agree with the notes we've picked out with the help of McGuigan (people who know what they are talking about).
Black Label Chardonnay
McGuigan Wines
Rich, generous and approachable: the McGuigan Black Label is your contemporary guide to Australia's most popular wine varieties such as a refreshing Sauvignon, mellow Merlot or a full-bodied Chardonnay.
Did you know Chardonnay is the world's favourite grape variety? Its popularity stems from its versatility and the fact it makes a sterling accompaniment with a wide range of cuisines from pasta to turkey!
This refreshingly delicious Aussie Chardonnay allows tropical fruit and melon flavours to collide in the bottle with notes of vanilla and toast and makes this Chardonnay a lively drop with a lingering clean finish. Let us know if you agree in the comments below.
McGuigan Reserve Shiraz
Next up is McGuigan Reserve Shiraz which comes in at £7 in most supermarkets. SUCH GOOD VALUE. McGuigan Reserve was created to celebrate the craft of blending. Premium fruit from New South Wales finest wine regions is selected before being expertly blended. These wines showcase the full flavour and rich diversity found in one of Australia’s most celebrated winemaking state. We are sold.
Passion and dedication for creating outstanding, consistent quality wines comes first at McGuigan Wines and their Reserve Range celebrates the family’s long term commitment to delivering wines of distinction. It's a family affair and so is Christmas, so this is a perfect festive choice. What notes to look out for?
The experts tell us the palate is smooth and silky with upfront ripe black cherry and juicy blackberry fruit. The full fruit weight is balanced by rich mocha, oaky notes that give way to the lingering spice finish. The fine tannin and complex acid profile add to the standout quality of this wine.
Perfect to be enjoyed on its own or paired with a roast duck. The question is do you agree?
Black Label Red
Pleased to meet you, Australia's number 1 best-selling bottled red wine: McGuigan Black label red, and it costs around £6.50 a bottle from supermarkets across the UK. Nothing snobby about that.
The first thing you will notice is the lovely berry and spice aromas that flow through on the palate with a lingering smooth and spices finish. It's a well balanced wine with a versatile wine that goes well with most dishes. It is especially rewarding with tomato-based Italian and spicy Asian food.
Reserve Sauvignon Blanc
McGuigan Wines
The McGuigan Reserve Sauvignon Blanc is from South Australia, created using premium fruit before being expertly blended. The result? Full flavour and rich diversity. And a bonus, this is a vegan wine, so it can be enjoyed by even more people.
What to look out for here? A full flavoured Sauvignon Blanc that shows a typical range of tropical fruits with hints of freshly cut grass. The Reserve Sauvignon Blanc has a great length of flavour and the finish is crisp and refreshing. The perfect player after all that Christmas stooge.
FoodTribe wine tasting note challenge
So there you have it, a guide to being a party king or queen online this year and four incredible wines to kick off your home wine tasting this festive season! We challenge you wonderful bunch of FoodTribers to send us your best and most creative McGuigan wine descriptions (we want you to go really out there). It won’t be lonely this Christmas, as McGuigan will be bringing everyone together for some festive fun.
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Comments (2)
Excellent article Judy!
Thank you Carl, so glad you enjoyed it!