BYO pick of the month – yes, the one approved by Reese Witherspoon (AKA the book club queen).
Put down those tiny screens because we’re here to help you nail the next book club party at your place. And in impeccable timing, our mates at Drop of Sunshine have released two new red wines. The first is a shiraz that hails from McLaren Vale and the second is a cabernet sauvignon that blends Langhorne Creek with McLaren Vale (we don’t need to remind you about the prosecco, do we?).
If you haven’t come across Drop of Sunshine before, the need-to-know is that it’s a brand by women, for women (we love). The wine label was created in collaboration with American multi-channel media company Hello Sunshine (you may have heard of its founder... Reese Witherspoon?) and the world-famous Treasury Wine Estates – the company behind wine brands like Penfolds, Pepperjack and Squealing Pig.
So much more than a bottle of wine, Drop of Sunshine is all about bringing women together through community, meaningful connection and authenticity. So, it was obviously a no-brainer to partner with a brand that champions women (and Bruiser Woods’ ‘mom’). Drop of Sunshine has been made to be enjoyed around your favourite people, so it’s lucky for us that those bright new red wines have dropped in time for this month’s book club party.
Now, for those who don’t know what we’re talking about, a book club party is exactly what it sounds like – a bunch of pals hanging out after inhaling the pick of the month. And for those who follow Reese’s Book Club, July was all about Beck Dorey-Stein’s Spectacular Things. We’re not going to give too much away, but it’s the story of sisters, sacrifice and soccer (and making tough choices to pursue your dreams).
But back to hosting your own book club. We need to add a *disclaimer* here – you absolutely do not need to be in a book club to invite your friends around; this could very easily become a ‘how to host a midweek hang’, but we’ll leave that part up to you.
Time to stock the rack with Drop of Sunshine’s shiny new shiraz and cabernet sauvignon. And be sure to pop a couple of bottles of Drop of Sunshine’s prosecco in the fridge so they’re chilled for arrival (especially for that friend who’s always early).
Let’s talk about shiraz, which is pretty famous for its peppery notes. If you don’t mind a bit of pepper, love dark fruit flavours (think blackberries, blueberries, black cherries and plums), and tend to reach for chocolate and licorice in the confectionary aisle, then we can almost guarantee you’ll be a shiraz fan. The Drop of Sunshine Shiraz is medium bodied (meaning totally approachable) and bright red in the glass with flashes of purple. Have a whiff and you'll notice blueberry and plum with a touch of raspberry. You'll taste those bright blue fruits before that smooth, smooth velvet finish. Staying in? We reckon this is the perfect steak-night wine. BYO night? Your local Indian spot. Hosting a group? We’re thinking lamb in the slow-cooker.
Cabernet sauvignon is also all about dark fruit flavours – we’re talking blackberries, mulberries and blackcurrants. If you’re a big-time lover of herbal aromatics like mint, sage and eucalyptus and don't mind a hint of chocolate and a touch of vanilla, then you’re going to love cabernet. When it comes to the Drop of Sunshine Cabernet Sauvignon, you'll smell bright blackcurrants and that fresh goodness that comes from mint. Have a sip and taste red plums (yum), a hint of spice and mint chocolate (Mint Slice, anyone?), before meeting those soft, chocolatey tannins. This is a foodie’s cabernet, which means you can pair it with the likes of charcuterie and cheeses, slow-cooked meats or a crispy-skinned duck. Best of all, you can open a bottle for book club and pop another on the wine rack for the next few years as it’s only going to get better with a bit of age.
There’s nothing like being handed a chilled glass of prosecco as you walk through the door. The Drop of Sunshine Prosecco is bright, bubbly (duh), and tastes of green apple, pear and lemon.
If the book club (in)formalities are happening before dinner, a cheeseboard will tide your guests over – think Comté or manchego, as well as a triple-cream brie and a camembert to bring out those bright fruit flavours of the prosecco. If you’re pulling out all the stops for this review party, individual tasting plates with cheese, crackers and a good chunk of quince is the way to go.
We know hosting a group can be stressful, but, remember, preparation is your friend. Grab a bottle of Drop of Sunshine Prosecco, your favourite London dry gin and triple sec. You’ll need a few fresh ingredients: pineapple and lemon juice, mint, and a couple of lemons. Now you’ve got everything you need to whip up a batch of our Pineapple and Gin Punch. Trust us, it’s a certified crowd-pleaser.
