Successful Entertaining



At Home With Decoy Wines And Small-Bite Courses

Many times, the least expensive wines of a great wine estate are superior to other equally priced wines in the market.  Duckhorn Portfolio is one of the world’s top wine estates, with Duckhorn Vineyards, Goldeneye, Migration, Paraduxx, Calera and Canvasback, with prices ranging from about $34 to $120.  Almost all are produced in limited quantities and are top values in their respective price ranges.

Duckhorn’s Decoy Wines are the higher quality, lower priced wines – in the $16.95 to $19.95 range in Houston. Below, I offer two wine/food pairing dinners with one bottle each of the eight Decoy wines: a wine dinner with simple foods, which anyone can assemble, and another with gourmet bites, which most caterers could put together. I have done each of these with great success! The beautiful 2018 vintage for these current releases (except for the sparkling wine, which is non-vintage and the Zinfandel, which won’t be released until October), is lagniappe!   


Many times, the least expensive wines of a great wine estate are superior to other equally priced wines in the market.  Duckhorn Portfolio is one of the world’s top wine estates, with Duckhorn Vineyards, Goldeneye, Migration, Paraduxx, Calera and Canvasback, with prices ranging from about $34 to $120.  Almost all are produced in limited quantities and are top values in their respective price ranges.

Duckhorn’s Decoy Wines are the higher quality, lower priced wines – in the $16.95 to $19.95 range in Houston. Below, I offer two wine/food pairing dinners with one bottle each of the eight Decoy wines: a wine dinner with simple foods, which anyone can assemble, and another with gourmet bites, which most caterers could put together. I have done each of these with great success! The beautiful 2018 vintage for these current releases (except for the sparkling wine, which is non-vintage and the Zinfandel, which won’t be released until October), is lagniappe!   


The Eight Decoy Wines


Decoy California Brut Cuvée Sparkling Wine California – Methode Champenoise Tradition with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier.  Dosaged with French oak barrel fermented Napa Valley Chardonnay.

Decoy Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma Valley 2018 – Just the right amount of peach and grapefruit flavors. No wood aging to maintain the pretty fruit.  Excellent balancing acidity.

Decoy Chardonnay Sonoma County 2018 – Fermented in both stainless and new French oak (25%), an elegant but substantial offering with hints of apple and cinnamon.

Decoy Zinfandel Sonoma County 2018 – The addition of Petite Sirah gives Zinfandel the perfect boost of color and structure, which makes it show its best.

Decoy Pinot Noir California 2018 – A combination of grapes from selected cool-climate vineyards in Sonoma County, Central Coast, Mendocino County and Napa Valley, this wine was aged for eight months in 100% French oak.  Ripe berry flavors with good acidity.

Decoy Merlot Sonoma County 2018 – Hints of the plums of Pomerol along with notes of blueberries and cedar.  Silky tannins and a memorable finish.

Decoy Red Wine Sonoma County 2018 – Lovely, successful blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Carignan and Syrah.  Primarily red fruit flavors with nice balance of all components. A kiss of oak from the French oak barrels.

Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon California 2018 – Mostly from selected vineyards in Sonoma Coast and Central Coast. Layers of flavors including blackberries and dark chocolate. Aged in 100% French oak.

For each of the following meals, if each food item is bite-sized, pick-up and passed, there will be no need for knives, forks or dishes, making the hosts very happy. For eight persons, each can be served three ounces of each wine, and for six people, each can be served four ounces of each wine – with just one bottle of each wine.  In either case, it will be more than enough!


Simple, Inexpensive Seven Course Small-Bites Dinner


Decoy Brut Sparkling Wine – Country Paté or Truffle Mousse on Toast Points.

Decoy Sauvignon Blanc – Goat Cheese Topped with Thin Slice of Roasted Red Bell Pepper on Toast Points.

Decoy Chardonnay – Boiled, Grilled, Sautéed or Fried Shrimp with Remoulade or Tartar Sauce.

Decoy Zinfandel – Veggie Pizza Slice with Italian Sausage and/or Pepperoni.

Decoy Pinot Noir and Decoy Merlot (Serve the Pinot First) – Turkey and Creamy Havarti Finger Sandwiches – very thin slice of Havarti.

Decoy Red Wine – Roast Beef Finger Sandwiches.

Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon – Assorted Cheese and Crackers.  Brie, six month or more, Aged Manchego and/or Aged Cheddar Served on Lightly-Toasted, Thin-Sliced French Bread.


Gourmet Bites, Different Order of
Wines Served and Eight Courses


Decoy Brut Sparkling Wine – Smoked Salmon with Crème Fraiche, Capers and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice on toast points.

Decoy Sauvignon Blanc – Slightly Spicy Shrimp Taquitos with a Dash of Mild or Medium Salsa.

Decoy Chardonnay – Small Bites of Grilled Red Snapper with Remoulade or Tartar Sauce.

Decoy Pinot Noir – Mini Chicken Taquitos topped with a Small Dollop of Cherry Sauce.

Decoy Zinfandel – Small Cup of Pork Pasta with Marinara Sauce.

Decoy Merlot – Roasted Quail Breast Wrapped in Bacon.

Decoy Red Wine – Sliced Oven-Roasted Beef Tenderloin Sliders.

Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon    Petite Herb-Crusted Lollipop Lamb Chops.