New Year's Eve party wine and food pairings are focused on the drink of the night - sparkling wine!

Put out the classiest pairings early in the night and save the more interesting matches for after the ball drops.

Champagne and other dry sparkling wines pair with salty and oily foods. Early evening snacks can include Caviar and a wide range of traditional hors d'oeuvres.

After midnight, get creative by inviting your guests to try their leftover bubbly with familiar favorites like potato chips, french fries, fried chicken and salted popcorn.

For guests that like their wines a little sweeter, serve a bubbly Moscato d'Asti. This fruity sparkler pairs well with fresh fruit and berries with cream or other not-too-sweet desserts.

Woman's Day readers - Check out 20 One-Minute Ways to beat stress!

My advice for using your favorite glass of wine to relax is tip 11.

http://www.womansday.com/health/13263/20-one-minute-ways-to-beat-stress.html

I learned back in 'wine school' that Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio were one and the same grape, but I have consistently found two very different wines in my glass when ordering American - made Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris.

Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher have found the same thing, and they provide an explanation for this phenomenon in their Wall Street Journal tasting's column, 'American Pinot Who? Gris or Grigio, the Varietal Offers Great Quaffs -- If You Pick Carefully.'

Gaiter and Brecher said that, "While many American winemakers use "Pinot Gris" to indicate that the wine is fuller-bodied and "Pinot Grigio" to indicate that it's sunny and light, there's certainly no rule about that and there are plenty of exceptions," and offered their perceptions on almost 60 wines from Oregon, Washington and California.

As far as pairing, Gaiter and Brecher recommend, "The fuller-bodied examples (which are usually called Pinot Gris) ... with heavier summer foods, while the lighter wines (which are usually called Pinot Grigio) ... for sipping outside or with simpler fare."

A glass of fuller bodied Pinot Gris can be your 'summer vacation' from a favorite California Chardonnay, and a glass of lemony Pinot Grigio could make a flavorful 'adult' alternative to sticky, sugary lemonade.

What music to play at your next wine and food pairing dinner - top songs, artists
If you want to complete the mood, try these songs at your next dinner party. http://kathleenlisson.blogspot.com/2008/03/musician-and-fellow-csw-joe-roberts-has.html

Anchovy Onion Tart and Rose Wine (recipe)
A flavorful springtime meal idea from France!
http://kathleenlisson.blogspot.com/2008/03/anchovy-onion-tart-and-rose-wine-recipe.html

Everyday Enchiladas and Rioja Wine (recipe)
My spinach lovers go-to weekday recipe, made fancy with a glass of wine.  http://kathleenlisson.blogspot.com/2008/03/everyday-enchiladas-and-rioja-wine.html

This weekend's wine and food pairings include a recipe and wine pairing for Rock Lobster and Braised Beef Bourguignon - http://kathleenlisson.blogspot.com

This weekend's video features Finger Lakes winemaker Chris Stamp sharing his secret for how to NOT be a wine snob. Find it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTqpd-ghIJc

This weekend's Wine and Food Pairing topics include tips for:
Venison http://kathleenlisson.blogspot.com/2008/02/venison-food-and-wine-pairing.html Spanish Mussels http://kathleenlisson.blogspot.com/2008/02/mejillones-la-marinera-recipe-and-wine.html A RED wine match for Indian cuisine
http://kathleenlisson.blogspot.com/2008/02/indian-food-and-red-wine-pairing.html

The video of the week is my free class on wine and cheese pairing – watch it at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XthfDWIeN_g

Please let your friends know about my wine and food pairing blog by pointing them to:http://kathleenlisson.blogspot.com

If you haven't watched Wine Library TV yet, this is the episode to watch - Gary tastes some New York wines (and yes, that's me in a cameo at the end). Featured is a Finger Lakes Gewurztraminer from the Hermann J Wiemer Vineyard and Winery.

The episode is here:
http://tv.winelibrary.com/2008/02/15/laid-back-friday-with-wines-from-the-finger-lakes-episode-409/

It's cold outside, but the farmers' market is still open! Serve a winter vegetable this weekend with these tips and Wine pairings for Winter Vegetables - http://kathleenlisson.blogspot.com/2008/02/pairing-winter-vegetables-and-wine.html

Learn some Italian lingo and grab these Tips for preparing dishes for your next Italian-style dinner http://kathleenlisson.blogspot.com/2008/02/how-to-serve-italian-style-dinner.html

Whiskey? Whisky? If you know the difference, this book and DVD are you for -- If you like drinking Spirits – a book and DVD review http://kathleenlisson.blogspot.com/2008/02/do-you-like-spirits-book-and-dvd-review.html

Match the sauce with the wine with this Guide to Matching wines with Asian, European, Middle Eastern, and North African flavored dishes http://kathleenlisson.blogspot.com/2008/02/matching-wines-with-asian-european.html

Dinner at an Italian Restaurant – What food to choose with your bottle of wine
http://kathleenlisson.blogspot.com/2008/01/italian-food-and-wine-pairing.html

Free online video wine classes
http://www.squidoo.com/freewineclass

Food and Wine Pairings with the Top Five 'Health' Foods - Beans,Blueberries, Salmon, Eggs and Sweet Potatoes
http://kathleenlisson.blogspot.com/2008/01/food-and-wine-pairings-with-top-five.html

Cheese etiquette - how to serve cheese at a party
http://kathleenlisson.blogspot.com/2008/01/how-to-serve-brie-and-other-cheese-at.html

--Discover wine and food pairing ideas and my upcoming wine classes at
http://kathleenlisson.blogspot.com

How to discover new wines to love (by trying bottles that are similar to your current favorites) - http://kathleenlisson.blogspot.com/2008/01/how-to-pick-new-wine-to-try-use-wines.html

A fact-filled recap of recent studies proving that a glass of red wine is good for your health and my plan, called the 'buddy system' on how to enjoy a bottle of wine one glass at a time - http://kathleenlisson.blogspot.com/2008/01/red-wine-is-good-for-your-health.html

What do you serve with your big chunk of meat and glass of spicy Syrah? This Syrah friendly recipe for Brussels sprouts! http://kathleenlisson.blogspot.com/2008/01/brussels-sprouts-recipe-and-wine.html

Discover wine and food pairing ideas and my upcoming free wine classes at http://kathleenlisson.blogspot.com