HOST WITH CONFIDENCE by Anne de Montarlot Bahia de Montarlot

Author:Anne de Montarlot, Bahia de Montarlot [Anne de Montarlot, Bahia de Montarlot]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Published: 2014-05-08T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 5

Happy Hour Ambiance

The Happy Hour ambiance in France is not related to the time spent with colleagues after work in a bar or a pub. It is more of a mini cocktail party held at home around wine and appetizers.

APÉRITIF DIN DIN AMBIANCE

Occasion

If you don’t feel like hosting an entire dinner party for various reasons, this is the perfect compromise. A mini din-din is simply a cocktail party, but with a bit more food.

Why This Title?

An Aperitif Din Din (or Aperitif Dinatoire), as we call it in France, is having drinks with a little food. It is a good method for introducing new friends to others or inviting newly made acquaintances to your inner circle without committing yourself too much by investing in a dinner.

It allows for a relaxed vibe amongst people, going around the room at your rhythm and leisure. It is also a good way to sort of “test” your visitors to see who would be a nice fit for the next dinner party you would likely host. Call it a pre-requisite training or even foreplay for things to follow! The mood is laid back and convivial, the food is salty and sweet and eaten with your hands. The Apéritif Din Din shouldn’t last longer than two hours or so.

Our Experience

One of the celebrations which suits an Apéritif Din Din is the Beaujolais Nouveau! Every year, traditionally in late November, we rush to the liquor store to buy the Beaujolais freshly arrived and invite ten to twenty people over to celebrate. It is one of the easiest and most relaxing ways (or excuses) to entertain.

You will simply need some fruit and cheese. The Beaujolais wine (if that’s what you choose) is served chilled with a beautiful selection of cheeses from mild to pungent, from goat to cow and from soft to hard.

The cheeses are displayed on different trays (wooden ones are perfect), served on wine leaves or straw. Open them at the last minute to avoid any strong unpleasant smells! Next to the cheese trays, you have the different types of breads (baguettes, flutes, pain de campagne, sesame, biscuits, etc.) placed in wicker baskets.

A tray of cut crudités, sliced apples and grapes and le tour est joué, santé!

Apéritif Din Din Table Setup

The preparation is très simple! Just drape your dining room table with a colored tablecloth (as oppose to a white tablecloth, in case you get some wine stains).

You will place all the glasses, including wine glasses as well as Champagne flutes and water glasses, to one side.

On the same side, lay out large Champagne buckets with ice. You can be creative and use other types of decorative containers as ice buckets. Your bottles of whites, Champagne or Prosecco will stay chilled that way. Don’t forget to have an extra medium size container with ice for the guests.

—Drink Layout: The first row should contain red and white wines and the crème liquors such as crème de cassis or crème de framboise to mix with the white wine to make a Kir.

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