How to Host a Book Club with Wine!

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I have been a member of a book club since I moved to South Florida. My old book club did not really talk about the book and really was there just to hang out. The one that I am in now is the best! Everyone gets into it and there are quizes with prizes and amazing wine! It awesome being able to get together with friends and talk about a good book.

Book Club Food

I know that we are all busy and the best way to have a successful book club is to order the food rather than make it. About a month before we meet, the host create’s a Facebook invite where we choose the book and set out who is bringing what. The book club attendees are asked to bring some food and wine too so that the host is not pressured to do everything!

Book Club Quiz & Prizes

Most popular books have questions about the book online or in the book itself. We use those questions to create a quiz. Then, the winners get to pick out prizes. This month the host provided chocolate and coffee as prizes. In the past, the prizes have been fashion jewelry, makeup, books, and hurricane preparedness items. It gives the attendees incentive to read the book.

Book Club Wine

Then, we serve amazing wine that we also discuss for a bit during the evening. Today, we served Gloria Ferrer Sparking Wine Sonoma Brut and Blanc de Blancs. Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards is Carneros’ original sparkling wine house, owned and founded by the Ferrer family of Spain. Named for José Ferrer’s wife, Gloria, the winery opened in 1986 in the breezy, now-famous region in southernmost Sonoma County. We normally print out the information on the wine we are drinking so that we can discuss.

Gloria Ferrer is not only the first sparkling wine house in Sonoma Carneros, but also the first to bring back clones from France to plant their vineyard. Thirty years later, with 335 acres under vine, the estate vineyards at Gloria Ferrer is known as experts in the production of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and produce estate grown still and sparkling wines that rival some of the world’s finest.

High Ratings

Gloria Ferrer wines have earned over 500 gold medals and 50 90+ scores in the last 5 years. The 2013 Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Blancs is rated 91 by wine spectator and 90 by wine enthusiast and the Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut is rated 92 by wine spectator and 90 by wine enthusiast.

Sonoma Brut

The Sonoma Brut has been carefully crafted entirely from hand-harvested Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. This brut is dominated by Pinot Noir, a stylistic decision enabling the complex aromatic and palate profile that this red-skinned grape contributes to brut cuvées.

Blanc de Blancs

In Champagne, Blanc de Blancs is considered the most challenging to make yet the most coveted. In California Blanc de Blancs is known as one of the most versatile sparkling wines due to its lively acidity. This acidity comes from using only Chardonnay, hence the “white of white” translation of its name. Gloria Ferrer’s vintage Blanc de Blancs is made entirely of 100% hand harvested Chardonnay. This gives it a richly complex yet dry and elegant flavor profile that will only continue to improve with extended aging.

The Blanc de Blancs has aromas of crisp green apple and Asian pear comes through with just a hint of toasty brioche. On the palate flavors of citrus with a rich Meyer lemon and crème brulee rounds it out. All of these characteristics continue through the long, crisp finish. You can download the tasting sheets HERE.

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I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.