June 2015

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WINE&DINE
186 June15
If you simply can’t be bothered to go out, stay at home, invite the
girls over, order some food and indulge in a bottle of wine, or two, or
three. Though we can’t guarantee low-key, we can guarantee a good
time no matter what you decide to do. Here are some tried and tested
ideas that go beyond the good ol’ chick flick.
Wine Tasting
A wine tasting is always a good idea, if you ask us. So, gather your girls and test out a range of reds,
whites, rosés and bubblies – you don’t have to be an expert to do it, you just need an appetite for
wine. Simply order a selection of varietals from – one of the region’s leading fine
wine wholesalers and online retailers – and pick up some hors d’oeuvres, and you’ve got yourself
a party; ask everyone to bring a bottle, too. Tip: Jazz things up further by making it a blind tasting
– have everyone write down their favourite picks and give a little prize to whichever guest’s wine
selection gets the most votes.
Need some help choosing what to buy? The Nino Franco Rustico Prosecco ($43) and Champagne
Boizel Brut ($80) are nice choices if you’re looking for some bubbly options, while the crisp, berry-
tinged Celler Piñol Portal Rosat (rosé; $46) is always a hit with the ladies; other great picks include
Pieropan Soave Classico ($43), a fruity white, and the peppery Rivera Rupicolo Red Blend ($36).
And, during the entire month of June, get 10 percent off when you purchase a combination of any
three bottles from the aforementioned wine and bubbly picks from .
Game Night
Sure, the idea of a game night is nothing new, but
why not switch it up with something other than
Scrabble and Pictionary? Cards Against Humanity
is always a sure-fire hit, making for a solid few hours
of laughs. Or try Apples to Apples, Rotten Apples
or Say Anything (all available at Amazon). Again,
be prepared with a couple of bottles of red or white,
and you’re golden.
Clothing Swap
Gather up those gently worn clothing items you
don’t wear and, instead of selling them on an
expat classifieds forum, swap them with your best
buds, making a night of it with some bubbly and
snacks. Just because you can’t stand the thought
of wearing that printed playsuit one more time,
doesn’t mean one of your friends won’t want dibs
on it; you can even take it beyond clothes and bring
household items you’d like to trade. It’s a great way
to “go shopping” without spending cash, and an
excuse to clean out your closet – a win-win, if you
ask us.
GIRLS’
NIGHT IN
DIY Party
Steal some craft ideas from Pinterest and rally the
troops for a night of do-it-yourself fun. Your inner
Martha Stewarts will love it, and you’re sure to have
a ball, even if your mason jar candle creations don’t
turn out as beautifully as expected.