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I think all of us like a touch of elegance in our lives now and then. I certainly do. I am of course, talking about inviting a few friends for dinner and serving wines with every course it's so easy and everyone enjoys it so much mary. And

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I refer to it as a simply elegant way to be elegantly simple. You know, we americans are basically a very friendly informal people and somehow we feel embarrassed about doing things in a formal, magnificent way and we shouldn't. First of all, a formal dinner party for

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six or eight people is fun because graciousness is always pleasant and formality provides a refreshing break from everyday existence. It is much the same feeling as dressing up in brand new clothes. Secondly, the time and thought given to preparations for a formal dinner is a compliment

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to your guests. The foods, the wines, the service are all part of gracious, entertaining. Let's pretend we are preparing a dinner as I am for some friends next week. It is entirely optional whether you wish to use a set of different wine glasses for the different

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wines or the all purpose wine glass. The first courses soup, I shall use a consomme, although onion or asparagus soup is commendable to with soup, serve your guests a glass of dry California sherry, approximately two ounces. The second course is a seafood dish such as oysters

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on the half shell or cold lobster with mayonnaise with this, a chilled California, dry white. A Riesling in four ounce pour rings the entree is next, a nice rack of lamb, a roast duck or even prime rib with fresh asparagus or french cut beans with chestnuts

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or walnuts and perhaps a potato souffle with this, of course, a robust California red wine such as a burgundy or a fruity cabernet sauvignon or gamay beaujolais would be most delightful complementing the meat and offering a contrast to the other wines. The red wine should also

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be served in four ounce pouring at this juncture. A simple lettuce cucumber and onion salad is most refreshing with an oil and vinegar dressing if you wish, you can break up Rockford cheese and toss with the lettuce and dressing. Now, dessert should be equally simple. Fresh

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fruit, a mild cheese such as Monterey, Jack, and of course, a very highly chilled California sweet, so turn when dessert is completed, it is time to serve the demitasse coffee and not before with the coffee. The final touch of elegance is achieved by offering your guests

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a glass of fruity ports. The smaller two ounce portion there is no doubt. We have just prepared for an elegant dinner, but you know that just one of those California wines or champagne can turn the most simple family meal into a feast, and it could be

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served with every course at your banquet. A white wine with a chicken dinner, red wine with spaghetti. It can go a long way in making your evening meal, a banquet for family or friends, and don't let anyone fool you California wines, even at their low cost

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compared to most foreign wines are among the finest in the world. You just can't surpass them. In addition to enhancing your meal, you might also consider that wine is the greatest tranquilizer in the world and helps you to relax. And dinner is the time to relax

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after a day's work. That is one reason I enjoy wine with my dinner nightly. And if you are on a diet, well, believe me, a glass of wine can make any dietary regimen appealing, whether you look at wine as a flavorful treat or as a good

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beverage that is automatically served with dinner. Just remember California wines have an elegance of their own that enhances any meal. It is a wonderful way of life.