When the weather is warm and you feel the golden rays of the sun, host a summer yacht party! Whether you’re planning to get married or celebrating another milestone, a summer yacht party can enhance the magnitude of your festivities. If your idea of a perfect party on the water involves hosting friends and family with your favorite drinks and scrumptious delicacies, and you’re looking for some amazing ideas, this quick guide is for you.

Select A Theme

A summer yacht wine and food pairing party should have a theme for added entertainment. Consider a classic nautical theme or be extravagant and decorate the yacht in golden hues to match Atlantis, the city under the water. Some unconventional options for a summer yacht party can include themes that are often seen in destination weddings, such as a late evening mermaid theme or a tropical Hawaii theme. Celebrate under stars and with the glow of the subtle lighting of the yacht. Now, the stage is set!

Choose The Wines

When hosting a wine and food pairing summer yacht party, you can’t take the selection of the wines lightly. To match the elegance and sophistication of the summer yacht party, you need wines that match the season and add a hint of coolness to the hot atmosphere.

Some good choices of wines while spending a summery day on your luxury yacht can include fresh roses from Provence or Sicily. You can also choose chilled white wines like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. If you’re looking for fruit forward flavors in a red wine, Beaujolais or a Pinot Noir will be a lovely choice. Alternatively, for a fun celebration, you could opt for sparkling wines such as Prosecco, Cava or a classic Champagne.

The Perfect Delicacies

If you’re looking for memorable food choices that pair well with your wines and a day surrounded by water, you can’t miss with various seafood options such as sous vide lobster tail, fish tacos, broiled scallops, marinated shrimp, or even charred salmon.

Choose appetizers such as mushroom conserva, roasted tomato pissaladiere, and fritto misto with calabrian chile aïoli. For the entree, offer crispy monkfish with capers, coq au vin, or stuffed pork tenderloin with bacon and apple-riesling sauce. End with a memorable dessert that includes an assortment of mini-cupcakes of a variety of flavors, easily enjoyed with a glass of sweet sparkling wine or a traditional champagne.

Presentation Of Pairings

For an elevated tasting experience, help your guests by guiding them on the foods and wines that pair well together. For instance, a glass of refreshing Rose would complement lighter meats, seafood, chicken or salads while a glass of robust Cabernet Sauvignon may be enjoyed with grilled meats and juicy burgers. The chart below may be of help.

Try to match the body and weight of the wine with the food that you’re serving. Light appetizers may be served with lightweight wines such as sparkling wine, chilled Pinot Grigio from Delle Venezie in Italy or Gamay from Beaujolais in France. Alternatively, heavier meats such as bbq ribs or burgers are even more delicious with a rich Zinfandel from California, Syrah from the Rhone Valley in France or Bordeaux blend.

Ensure that the wine is more acidic than the food that you serve. An acid-driven Albarino from Spain or Chablis from France will pair beautifully with oysters, grilled fish and crabcakes.

 If you’re serving something sweet, like a fruit salad or chocolate dessert, complement it with a wine that’s slightly sweeter. Riesling, Moscato, or port may be a good choice.

Related: Summer Seafood Favorites and Wines for Pairing

Keep A Check On Your Guests

While having fun is more than okay, just keep an eye out for people who might over drink. Ensure that you’ve enough water and mocktails on hand to keep your guests hydrated and safe.

Also check that they’ve arranged for their rides back home if they plan to drink more than usual. Being a little cautious on the yacht is essential, as wine and water could be an interesting, if not unfortunate, pairing.

Summer is the best season to host a delightful yacht party with food and wine. As a host, it gives you the opportunity to spend quality time with your friends and family while enjoying the season. It also means that the responsibility of preparing an amazing soiree falls on your shoulders. With this quick guide, you’ll be able to have a wonderful time planning the best summer yacht party you and your guests will never forget.

Cheers! ~ Cindy

Guest Post author, Kevin Fagan, is a food & travel writer, based in New-England. He likes to (attempt to) cook gourmet food at home, and travel to far-flung destinations.

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