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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 5, 2003)
5.2003' cHoiiifay G ¡/i Guide efore you R SV P for another holi- gay soiree, do you know what you’ll bring your host or hostess? Yes, a wine is a perfect choice, but how do you know which one to select? Even if you know what you like, consider these tips from vino aficionado Wixxly Clarke of Portland queer wine bar Cmsh. Playing it safe: Zinfandel. “Most people say they like a dry red wine, but they really like the Zinfandels because they have a lot of sugar and probably the highest alcohol content— which always makes for a gixxl party," chuckles Clarke. California Ravenswotxl is a gcxxl choice at an economical $10 or so. Going into the red: Pinot Noir. "Pinot Noir is the thing Oregon does— and does fan tastically!” exclaims Clarke, who suggests local varieties make especially great gifts for out-of- staters. With bottles around $35, Clarke rec ommends liKal vineyards Elk Cove, Andrew Rich and Cameron. Wetting your white whistle: Pinot Gris. Oregon’s own Big Fire winery offers a little white wine for about $15. For the wine snob, Clarke’s tip is a “gorgeous” California Camus Conundrum, setting you back about $24. Holiday hazard: Chardonnay. Overzealous U.S. consumption has made this vino a no-no. In other words, Clarke says, out of fashion. Wine opine: Riesling. Sweet enough for a beginner, complex enough for someone who knows grapes. About $16. Erudite effervescence: sparkling wine. Hard to find at the market, but available at places such as Cmsh is Italy’s new Villa Teresa from Prosecco Veneto. “The only decent organic wine,” notes Clarke. And only about $10-$ 12. Trendy and smart: grappa, baby, grappa. What to bring? Stop your wining Grappa is the new Chardonnay for queer party gifts by T im o t h y K r a u s e “For the fag who knows what’s new and wants to kx>k sophisticated,” remarks Clarke of the clear, brandy like libation made from leftover grape skins and seeds. Very dry and very high alcohol content—a Un tie is going to last a long time and therefore makes a perfect treat for your someone special to savor long after the party’s over. About $29 gets you a bottle of Clear Creek grappa prixluced right on (go fig ure) Northwest Trendy-third. Complement compliments: cheese, please. For a special touch, bring along cheese. Any kind, says Clarke, though his favorite is lixrally prixluced Juniper Grove. The bottom line: listen up. Personal recommendations are a great way to chixxse wine, says Clarke, who is happy to offer sug gestions over the phone. And for the casual consumer, ignore the year. “Old dix;s not necessarily mean gixxl,” he says. “Often old just means old— and no one’s going to be checking.” Then he adds, laughing, “Some times it boils down to just whatever the cute guy is drinking." j H COLD DOWN EASY • A ©2003 C00RS BREWING COMPANY GOLDEN. COLORADO 80401 • BEER • CNW000350 • O K, maybe you or your party- throwers don’t drink wine. (“It’s graping on your nerves.") Or maybe you’re just looking for something unique to take to a special dinner. In either case, Wild Life partners Larry Whitacre and Steve Pick ering have lots of suggestions for “Shirley Temple" party presents. Potluck good luck. Why not present your signature dish in a special vessel that you leave behind as a gift? Throw your homemade bread into a rustic rattan basket lined with a pretty tea towel, together for $15.50. Or dress up store-bought nibbles by sharing them in Japanese Kotobuki dishes— four small, multi colored, flower-shaped dishes for $24. Settle for petals. Make a tried-and-true flower arrangement a little fancier with an aluminum ring vase from Simply Designs. This $14 99 shining beauty is retro-chic. Effervescent presence. From margaritas to martinis, bubbleglass stemware from Global Amici creates sparkling party conversation. Each glass a * t s $6.99-$ 11.99 and comes in various colors. Check out the matching pitchers, too. Post-party wind-down. If your party pal has everything in hand, why not offer that gracious goodie help winding down after the big to-do? Try Confetti Bubblebath from European Soaps. A $3.99 pack is enough for two soaks. |H CRUSH offers bottles of wine to go, including numy /rreuTapped selections, at 1412 S.E. Morri son St., 503-235-8150. W ild L ife offers home furnishing and deem at 3962D S.E. Hawthorne Blvd., 503-236-3862. h '■ * • 15
