holiday - Wine Enthusiast Magazine

NEW YEAR’S EVE
TABLETOP DÉCOR
HOLIDAY
ENTERTAINING
2012
There’s no better time than the New Year to embrace all things ultramodern. “You can host a
fabulous party by taking the smart and sassy approach,” Mullaney says. High-tech devices and
tableware in clean, modern shapes will help you ring in 2013 with a bang. Just remember to
keep everything clean, crisp and focused. Modernist design is all about technical innovation and
minimal adornment.
WHITE, BLACK AND SILVER
Show off your state-of-the-art cuisine with
cutting-edge table décor by keeping your
colors simple and streamlined in tones
of white, black and silver. Dishes with
squared-off edges will make the colors and
flavors of the food pop. Small touches of
chrome and glass—salt and pepper shakers,
for instance—imbue your dinner with
contemporary flair.
ULTRAMODERN STEMWARE
Pour your wine in glasses that have a sleek
modern look, such as the Fusion Infin ity
Wine Glass set (16 glasses for $199). Forget
the typical corkscrew and upgrade to
an electric version. The Wine Enthusiast
Elec tric Push Button Corkscrew ($29.95),
available at wineenthusiast.com, will
make it easy to open your various bottles
and also match your techonogical theme.
PLAYLIST
DIY COCKTAILS
Don’t be afraid to make your guests do
it themselves, especially at this modern
celebration. Mullaney suggests setting up
a self-serve cocktail station, where guests
can mix up libations on their own. Arrange
the ingredients for a signature tipple,
complete with instructions and a jigger for
measurement. This will also ensure that
you have time to mingle rather than merely
bartend.
TABLETS AND TABLESCAPES
Mullaney says she likes to “tablescape.”
“[It’s] creating a story down the table,
rather than a single centerpiece.” Achieve
telling a story the modern way by
strategically placing tablets, such as an iPad
or a Kindle Fire HD, on your dining table. On
these devices, she suggests that you show a
slideshow of images of your trip to a wine
region, or a video of yourself prepping the
evening’s dinner.
“1999,” Prince; “Auld Lang Syne,” The Beach Boys; “Raise Your Glass,” Pink; “2012 (It Ain’t The
End),” Jay Sean featuring Nicki Minaj; “What Are You Doin’ New Year’s Eve,” Lou Rawls. Get Wine
Enthusiast’s Ultimate Holiday Entertaining Guide playlist on Spotify.
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PHOTO BY KATE SEARS