How to Host a Paella Western Wine Night
Finally! A Spanish dinner party that's not flamenco-themed!
There’s something fun about a theme that confuses your friends. It gives you an opportunity to stretch your creativity, and surprise them with a night they didn’t know they wanted. So, when I had a bunch of Spanish wines I wanted my friends to try, but didn’t want to go for the overdone tapas or flamenco night, a Paella Western theme it was.
What is a Paella Western theme, you ask (like literally all of my guests did)? Many of the early Western films were actually shot in the desert in Andalusia, in Southern Spain, so it’s a party that makes your guests feel like they’re on one of those movie sets. Saloon-style decor and dress code inspired by the movie scenes (think vintage lacy tablecloths, cowboy hats, and a faux cowhide rug), with Spanish wine and food because, well, that’s how the cast and crew would’ve been eating.
It’s one of my favorite aesthetics I’ve crafted for a dinner, though the food and wine alone would’ve been enough to make it a winning night. Here’s how to do it yourself at home - the decor, the playlist, the recipes, and the perfect wine lineup.
