I’m probably setting you up for a letdown. With this post’s title and that it’s three weeks late, the logical conclusion is that we had some epic New Year’s Eve party with A-listers like Jay-Z, Clooney, and Gwyneth.
Sorry to disappoint you. We couldn’t even score Rip Taylor, who I last saw do a cameo at the conclusion of Jackass 3.
No, we had a simple gathering at the home of the Sicilian – about 10 people, no kids, just enjoying good conversation. But we did eat and drink like rock stars. So why the “Big” in the title? Patience, Grasshopper, patience…
What we drank
Doesn’t sound like much, but here’s where the “big” comes in. I used this opportunity to clear out the cellar a little bit.
The standard bottle of wine is 750 mL. Did you know that the bigger bottles of wine have names for the different sizes? Here are the sizes of the names (from http://www.wineloverspage.com)
CHAMPAGNE
Magnum: 1.5 liters (two bottles) – The Prosecco
Jeroboam: 3 liters (four bottles)
Rehoboam: 4.5 liters (six bottles)
Methuselah: 6 liters (eight bottles)
Salmanazar: 9 liters (12 bottles)
Balthazar: 12 liters (16 bottles)
Nebuchadnezzar: 15 liters (20 bottles)
Even larger sizes are occasionally seen, although they are very rare:
Solomon: 20 liters (28 bottles)
Primat: 27 liters (36 bottles)
BORDEAUX
Magnum: 1.5 liters (two bottles) – The Franciscan
Marie-Jeanne: 2.25 liters (three bottles)
Double Magnum: 3 liters (four bottles)
Jeroboam: 4.5 liters (six bottles)
Impèriale: 6 liters (eight bottles)
I noticed that this above excluded the 1-Gallon size (the Carlo Rossi), so we’ll call it the “Wino Special”.
Let’s clear something up right away – that Gallo wasn’t in my cellar. I actually had to go out, pluck that baby from the bottom shelf of Kroger, and drop a Hamilton (that’s $10 US) on it. Nothing but the best for my friends.
Actually, the cheap-o wine did have a purpose – Fire Tongue Punch. Boom Boom’s parents are German immigrants and this is something of a holiday tradition where they’re from. The in-laws brought back the special punch bowl from Germany and we haven’t made it since we set our living room carpet on fire years ago. Since we were at a friend’s house, we couldn’t think of a better opportunity.
Yes, you read that right – we set our carpet on fire. It’s a warm, spiced wine with sweetness courtesy of melted sugar. It’s delicious, but it’s the preparation and process that makes it a holiday tradition.
The rum helps set the cone on fire and the sugar melts into the wine to sweeten it. Meanwhile, the blue flames light up the room and the hearts of fellow partygoers. I’m not sure where you can get this equipment here in the States, but I’m sure it’s online somewhere. In case you can’t find or don’t want to invest in the equipment, I did find this little clip on how it was done way back when
Prior to serving, cross swords on top of pot and place sugar cube on it…
Sweet!!! I gotta try that next time.
As for the food, stay tuned…
Did you like these recipes? Want more? Check out the Recipe Index – link on left menu or click here!
I do love me a good punch bowl!
Totally jealous of your wine selection.
I have to say I have a soft spot for the Carlo Rossi. Not the classiest, but budget drinking at its finest.
I’m not going to pass too much judgement because our college budget wine of choice was Nighttrain. 20% alcohol wine for $1.99. But the really bad choice was putting it in a beer bong and slamming it. In our graduation robes.
Haha, great post + I learned something!
You’re funny!
It sounds like a grand time to be had with all those lovely punches!!! I must try one or two of them. Saving this.
Pingback: My Big New Years Eve – The Food « The Food and Wine Hedonist
Pingback: 2 liter bottles of light « dimitri seneca snowden
Pingback: How’s that for a tongue twister: Feuerzangenbowle | the winegetter
Pingback: Feuerzangenbowle and how to make your own Zuckerhut | the winegetter