Today is a chance for us to recognize some very important people in our lives. May this day bring you many reasons to smile!

Happy Father’s Day!

Having a wine tasting in the comfort of your home is an inexpensive and simple way to find new wines you might love. Invite a few friends over, gather a group of bottles, a cork screw, and maybe some food to pair with the wine, and you’ll be good to go. Follow these simple tips to help host your next get together!

• Gather a white tablecloth, big wine glasses, spittoons, crackers, and some coffee grounds to use as an odor neutralizer between wines.
• Prepare your wines to their ideal temperatures. Serve white wines at around 50 degrees and red wines at around 60 degrees. Open the bottles at least 30 minutes before you plan on serving.
• If you’re planning on serving a variety of different wines, be sure to start with the least refined and work your way to the most refined. You should always start with the lightest wine first.
• Pour the glasses an inch below the equator, or the widest part of the glass.
• Don’t rinse the glasses between servings, as water can dilute the wine.
• After tasting all of the wines, discuss with your guests the aromas and tasting notes of them all and your likes and dislikes.
• After listening to everyone’s thoughts, re-taste the wines to see whether they have changed with aeration.

How To Have The Perfect Wine Tasting At Home [The Huffington Post]
How to Host a Wine Tasting Party [Real Simple]
How to Host a Wine Tasting [Food & Wine]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr kohrogi34

Though Houston may be a sprawling metropolis, it provides ample opportunities for locals to get outdoors at parks like Discovery Green. This modern green space and community hub hosts beautiful gardens, playgrounds for the little ones, and an ever-changing array of inspirational outdoor art installations.

The park’s large pond is often used for canoeing around Houston’s beautiful cityscape, while in the winter, it doubles as an outdoor ice rink for visitors of all ages to enjoy. There are sprawling green spaces where people can play catch or enjoy a picnic, walking paths for those who want to get a bit of exercise, and even a dog park where you can take your furry friend. Discovery Green contains a few different restaurants on its grounds, and there are also areas where the park hosts live music performances, outdoor movies, and festivals during the summer months.

For a full list of happenings at Discovery Green, visit the park’s website!

Discovery Green
1500 McKinney
Houston, TX 77010
(713) 400-7336
www.discoverygreen.com
www.yelp.com/biz/discovery-green-houston

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr She Paused 4 Thought