North Bay Woman

F A L L 2 0 1 8 | NORTH BAY WOMAN 51 WHY Q Connection? Fun? Therapy? Girl talk? Learn about wine? ANSWER: Having a girl squad or tribe is essential these days. AND, we get to try new wines! HOW Q Themes? Tasting notes? Blind tasting? Decorated bottles? Food supplied by hostess? ANSWER: The hostess picks the theme and provides food or asks guests to bring a snack to share. She creates a Facebook event and can invite additional people. Bottles are decorated to match the theme or season. The hostess provides tasting sheets and bottle numbers. The reveal: At 8:15 p.m. each diva shows the wine she brought, provides the cost, and shares where it was purchased. The hostess can provide a prize for best- decorated or best-tasting bottle if she chooses. The group has collected glasses for each hostess to use. Tasting note: This is a fun, no stress night, so decorating with a paper bag and rubber band is perfectly beautiful. Author's note: This is just a guide; personalize it to fi t your diva group. Designated drivers or car service are recommended. Memorable Tasting Diva Gatherings November: Thankful with Cabs.The hostess made an amazing beef stew and blackberry cobbler dessert. Divas dressed their bottles in fall attire. February: Come as the goddess that you are! The divas dressed up as their inner goddess, brought a snack to dip into the chocolate fountain, and a goddess inspired wine. June: Bring a non-glyphosate wine (basically a non U.S. wine produced where weedkiller Round-up is banned.) Tasting was in a beautiful backyard diva sanctuary. Bottles were decked out creatively with up-cycled and nature inspired materials. September: Corks, Crafts and Chardonnay. Everyone brought corks, craft supplies, glue guns and a decorated bottle of Chardonnay to taste. Stories were shared, laughter was abundant, and crafts were created. Special Diva Night After the North Bay wildfi res, when there was a lot of stress, the divas got together and shared their stories of fatigue, loss, hope and healing. We shared wine and food, had coloring therapy, mediated, and had mini massages. Everyone left a bit more rejuvenated. Cheers. n Below: Fall themed bottle wraps from a recent Tasting Divas group display the variety and creativity of the wine group. A participant can go all out with leaves and hot glue appliqués or go the minimalist route with a brown paper bag and a pretty bow. – Photo by Stuart Lirette

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