(Courtesy of Russ Lopez)

Ingredients:

• Cherry tomatoes (preferably organic and mult-colored)
• Basil (Russ likes organic baby basil)
• Kosher Salt
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil

(Courtesy of Southpaw Catering)
**Pairs well with Tanis Vineyards "My Sweet Baby" Late Harvest Syrah

• Chicken Wings
• 6Tbs lime juice?-1/4 cup citrus juice?-1/4 cup packed brown sugar?
• 1/4 cup Thai fish sauce?
• 1/4 cup olive oil?
• 1Tbs Asian chile sauce?
• 2Tbs minced ginger?
• 6 cloves minced garlic?
• 1/4 cup minced green onions?
• 1/4 cup minced mint leaves?
• 1/4 cup minced basil leaves?
• 1/4 cup minced cilantro sprigs

I’m always looking for a good excuse to have a wine party.  And if I can throw in a twist to make it fun or even goofy… I’ll do it in a heartbeat.

That’s how my “Girls Rock” wine party idea was born.  My friends were having a jewelry-wine accessory party and I tossed the idea at them and they loved it.

It starts something like... “Dude, my wife’s birthday is in three weeks and I need a plan.” Of course you start with your buddies who are no help whatsoever.  Usually it’s an idea that resembles your party planning strategy from your early twenties and rather than wine, there’s a keg involved.

That’s out of the question of course so you go to your mother. “Mom, it’s her 40th! It’s got to be spectacular!” “How about that new restaurant on the north end of town” she says.  And so it goes.  A few more calls, a few more boring, overdone, less than exciting ideas are presented and you realize you are not the “entertainment Guru” you thought you were in college. 

Beer seems to be the traditional adult beverage of choice for most Super Bowl parties.  But with more and more Americans drinking wine these days, I think it’s time to tweak that tired, old tradition and throw some vino in the mix.

Some of you may think wine is too refined to be consumed with greasy Buffalo wings.  Ridiculous!  You can drink wine with just about anything.

Others of you may wonder, “What wine should I serve with hot dogs or chips?”

Not to worry, I consulted a wine expert with that very question and received some excellent wine pairing advice for your next Super Bowl shindig.

So what do Marilyn Monroe and a bunch of hungry/thirsty football fans have in common?  How about Champagne and potato chips!