Tips for Hosting a Wine Night with the Girls

If you and your best girlfriends are ready for a much-needed get-together, considering hosting a girl's night in and splurging on some good wine, decadent desserts, and a pampering at-home spa session. Wine night with the girls can be the perfect time to catch up and treat yourself to a complete night off -- no calorie-counting allowed.

I interviewed Janine Lettieri, a certified sommelier who has worked at the the three-star Michelin restaurant Le Bernardin and Waverly Inn, and the current Lot18 Imported Wine Specialist, to find out what type of wine should be on the menu for your night of splurging. Here are some of Janine's top recommendations in the wine department, and some other ideas for hosting a fun night in with the girls:

Best Wine Picks for a Girls' Night In

When you're not sure whether to go with red or white, stick with a sparkling white that appeals to most. Janine says to, "Splurge on Champagne. You simply can't go wrong with it - ever. And it's worth it to spend the extra $15 or $20 on Champagne - from the region of the same name in France - rather than a sparkling wine from California, Italy, or Spain since that's not a whole lot of money for that extra flavor, complexity, and texture you get only in Champagne. It's drinkable any time of year, under any circumstances."

If you're planning to treat the girls to a rich chocolate dessert or other chocolate treats, Janine says to, "Go with port. The sweet, fortified red from Portugal pairs beautifully with chocolate." You could also splurge for a rich Napa Cabernet. These have a "touch of sweetness and slightly higher, warming alcohol. There's no crime in pairing a ripe red table wine with dessert", says Janine.

Chocolate and Desserts

Since calories don't count on a girls' night in, plan on splurging with some chocolate treats or homemade concoctions. I recently discovered Champagne truffles from Vosges Chocolate. Just one is enough to satisfy any sweet tooth and they make great hostess gifts as well.

If there are some avid bakers in the group, make this a wine and dessert party and have everyone bring in one of their favorite decadent desserts to share. Brownies, cupcakes, mini cheesecakes, or even homemade truffles on the menu can be the perfect addition to the get-together.

Spa Splurges

Turn your get-together into an evening of pampering with an at-home spa treatment. Manicures and pedicures are the easiest treatments to set up for a group and you can round up basic supplies from a beauty supply store. Splurge on some fun new colors from OPI - they just released the Holland collection featuring pastels and a beautiful deep purple called "Vampsterdam" or a French manicure selection from Essie to walk away from the evening well-pampered and beautified.

Sources:

Interview with Janine Lettieri, Sommelier and Lot18 Imported Wine Specialist

Vosges Chocolate Truffles

OPI - Holland Collection

Essie - French Manicure Nail Polish