With the season of celebration upon us, the arrival of holiday entertaining is a welcome occasion for wine lovers. Sharing great food and wine with friends and family is a daily ritual in Italian life, and a way to pause for a moment to share memories and enjoy the gioie della tavola (the joys of the table). This year, share a menu inspired by Italian Bàcari (wine bars), perfect for offering a variety of wines to taste alongside simple but creative appetizers.
Traditionally offered as a small bite to accompany a glass of local wines, Ciccheti are small serving Italian appetizers similar to Spain’s tapas. Originating in Venice, they are a popular and delicious way to enjoy an afternoon of enjoying a Spritz or glass of wine alongside friends. This holiday season, bring the Venetian hospitality home by hosting a holiday gathering featuring wines from Santa Margherita and these creative bites.
Perfect for a variety of holiday occasions such as a holiday cocktail party, gift-wrapping party, neighborhood open house, book club gathering or even a festive Christmas Eve, a Ciccheti party alongside Santa Margherita Wines will help you celebrate the holidays in a festive and delicious way.
For more information, visit www.santamargheritawines.com
With such a wide variety of recipes, you can host guests with different preferences and dietary preferences; from vegan to vegetarian, pescetarian and those who have no restrictions at all. Served cold, room temperature and warm, the variety of items allows you to prepare many ahead of time, so not much assembly needs to be done the day of. In addition, Ciccheti are meant to be eaten with your hands; no cutlery or extensive serving-ware (beyond a toothpick!) required.
Some of the most popular offerings can be served room-temperature, perfect for an open house or casual gathering. These include Crostini with a variety of toppings (such as cheese, cured meats or seafood spreads). In addition, marinated vegetables such as artichoke hearts, mushrooms and sweet peppers are a vegetarian-friendly offering.
Warm appetizers can include Polpette (meatballs), Arancini (fried Arborio rice balls) and Fritto Misto (fried seafood or vegetables) as well as grilled polenta topped with vegetables or creamy spreads.
With a variety of foods offered, all types of wines can accompany Ciccheti; from Fritto Misto with Santa Margherita Prosecco Superiore to a Mushroom Arancini with Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio, to a glass of Santa Margherita Chianti Classico Riserva with Beef Polpette. The flavor combinations are endless, and shared with good company, will provide a memorable and delicious way to celebrate the holidays with friends and family.
Published: October 17, 2016
