Welcoming Guests After a Wild Winter
By Elizabeth Wulfhorst
You may still be cocooning against the possibility of more inclement winter weather, but the promise of spring is in the air and with it, possibly, the urge to entertain.
Opening your home after a long winter of frigid temperatures, even colder wind chills and more snow than the area has seen in a decade can be daunting. Maybe you’ve let the cleaning slip a little, not being as meticulous with all the detritus your boots have dragged in the past few months. Those blankets you’ve wrapped yourself in for months could use a wash and the couch cushions need a good fluff.
As anxious as you may be for warmer weather, let’s face it, spring is not summer. The temperature can still hover in the high 50s in the evening and your house can have a chill (too warm for the heat, too cool for the air conditioning). Nothing is less inviting than making your guests shiver on hard chairs while they try to enjoy a glass of wine and charcuterie.
If you’re hosting a few guests, don’t be afraid to move your furniture around to create cozy conversation areas. And leave pillows and throws nearby for those who want to get really comfy. If you have a patio heater or fire pit and the weather permits, of course move the get-together outside, but bring the blankets, too. Fresh air goes great with wine and conversation.
It’s best to keep spring entertaining simple; if you’re hosting a large Easter or Passover celebration next month, a small gathering or two is a great way to trial-run appetizers and drinks. It can even help you figure out what you need to replenish or refresh – think dishes, cutlery, glassware and more.
Speaking of wine, having drinks and food that appeal to most palates is the considerate choice. David Chiesa of The Wine Cellar Red Bank has a few suggestions for wines for a wide range of tastes.
“Think pinot noir, especially for spring,” Chiesa said. “It’s a little lighter, and I feel like pinot noir is pretty accessible.” The Wine Cellar offers a French pinot, a 2023 Le Secret des Etoiles at $30 a bottle. “It’s so smooth and just goes with everything.”
For white, a Sancerre is a great bet, Chiesa said. He suggests a 2023 Domaine Daniel Reverdy for $40. If your guests know wine, “they’re going to be happy with that.”
Rosés are also great for spring. A general rule of thumb, according to Chiesa, is that the paler the color, the drier the rosé. “I find that if I don’t know what a person likes for rosé… I’ll try and go for something paler, just because I find that sweetness in wine tends to be very divisive. But if you get something that’s just on the drier side, I feel like it’s safer.”
Pair these wines with crackers and cheese and you have the makings of a perfect spring evening with friends.
The article originally appeared in the March 12 – 18, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
