Beverage Tips For Parade Day

As Newtown’s social event of the year approaches, I thought it would be helpful to provide some beverage tips for the Labor Day Parade.

First of all, candy is a better choice to throw from the float than bottles of wine. You would not want to get wine into the hands of minors, and the glass shards as the bottles hit the pavement could be considered dangerous by some. It is also best to keep any alcoholic beverages away from the numerous politicians who will be marching this year — because Heaven knows, they have a tough enough time governing, even with  clear heads.

If mimosas are on the brunch menu, however, it is not necessary to use the finest champagne. Because the flavor is diluted by orange juice, the delicate nuances of a great French Champagne would be covered up. A Spanish Cava or an Italian Prosecco would be an ideal choice. Although these sparkling wines use different grapes than French Champagne, they provide considerable bang for the buck. They are also made by the traditional Champagne method. Just be sure to pop the corks as the horses go by to add a little excitement to the day’s festivities.

If wine is being served, dry French rosé would be a lovely choice. Not to be confused with the much sweeter white zinfandels, they are generally lower in alcohol than many reds and whites, and the delicate strawberry notes make for lovely daytime sipping. Their light body and delicate flavors make them ideal complements to brunch and picnic fare.

Rieslings would be another excellent choice. Although many may consider Riesling too sweet, the best wines have lovely ripe fruit flavors without being cloying.

Finally a note about what to read after arriving at 5 am to insure that you get your favorite spot for viewing the parade: Daniel Okrent has written a book about Prohibition entitled Last Call. It is an informative and slightly irreverent history of the period from 1919 to 1933 when alcohol was “illegal” in the US. If you are also reading while the politicians go by, I don’t think anyone will mind.

(Newtown resident and oenophile Steve Small is the general manager at Yankee Wine & Spirits on Queen Street.).