Inevitably, there’s at least one unwelcome guest at every holiday party: the red wine stain. Sure enough, just as everyone is sipping, swirling, and savoring their favorite vintage vino, trading stories and seats over the course of the evening, it happens—someone spills. Lucky for you, the sooner you clean up the drink, the less chance it will stain. A wet spill is always easier to clean than a dry one, so think fast and act faster. Always blot up all you can before it soaks in (no rubbing allowed!), then follow with one of these three handy solutions and you’ll be raising your glass to toast to the fact that your carpet and upholstery are spot-free. Sometimes, the solution is hiding in plain sight—this time out on the dining room table. After carefully removing the excess liquid, first pour an ample amount of cool, clean water over the affected area to dilute the concentration of the red wine. Next, grab the salt shaker. You’ll need more than a sprinkle, so twist off the top altogether and pour out a small heap over the entire stain while it’s still wet.

These crystals should absorb the wine and turn pink over the next several hours. To get the maximum benefit of this tried and true technique, leave the salt pile in place to dry overnight. In the morning, scoop up the salt and discard the pink crystals into the trash. Then, vacuum away any remnants that may still embedded in the carpet or upholstery fibers. Once you’re finished, the stain should be much less noticeable, if not entirely gone. As backwards as it sounds, a splash of white wine over your existing red wine stain can dilute the concentration much like adding cool water would—reason enough to uncork that next bottle! Once you pour the white, dab at the area with a clean cloth to soak up the mixture. This should remove most of the stain. If not, follow up with a homemade remedy straight from the pantry: an absorbent baking soda paste. Mix up three parts water and one part baking soda, coat the stain, and leave it overnight to soak. To ensure effectiveness, also cover the area with a clean cloth and a heavy book.

The weight of the book will help press the powdery mixture into the fibers to pull up any wine that remains, and by morning you can scrape off that caked-on crust to reveal a stain-free surface. Good for more than just sterilizing skin cuts and scrapes, hydrogen peroxide also makes an effective cleaner for red wine stains. Just remember: It is a mild bleaching agent, and therefore not for use on dark carpets or upholstery, only lighter materials like white carpet.old red wine stain on wood Mix one small squirt of dishwashing soap with half of a cup of hydrogen peroxide in a shallow dish. beer and wine only barsStart by testing a small amount of the solution in an inconspicuous spot on the carpet or furniture before inadvertently creating an unwanted bleach stain. red wine glass gift box

If the area bleaches, or you notice a dye transfer, then dilute the area with water, dab away the moisture, and discontinue this method. If there is no discoloration, soak a clean cloth in the soapy peroxide solution and dab at the stain. Blot gently, allowing the mixture to seep into the fibers. Repeat this process until you’ve applied the solution to the entire stain, and allow the mixture to stand for a few minutes for the best results.best wine shop singapore Once the hydrogen peroxide has done its job, wash and rinse it away. buy peter michael wineFill a clean spray bottle with cold, soapy water and lightly wet the stained area. wine and beer bar namesBlot with another clean towel, this one soaked in fresh, lukewarm water (no soap). buy wine online europe delivery

Finally, when you dab the spot with a dry towel to absorb any excess moisture, the stain should have wholly disappeared.The Best Wine Regions to Visit in 2017 To find out what the world’s most coveted wine regions are right now, we spoke to sommeliers around the country about what’s on their must-sip list in the new year. The Best Wine Regions to Visit in 2017 Hungary has lingered in the shadow of its wine-savvy neighbor, Czech Republic, for long enough. best wine festivals usaSome of today’s most interesting European wines come from the Tokaj region in the country’s northeast, not far from the border of Slovakia. what time can you buy wine in va“Not just sweet wines, but dry as well, with a floral, mineral-laden quality reminiscent of chenin blanc but with more depth of flavor,” says Henry Beylin, wine director at Gjelina in Los Angeles.

In western Hungary, the north shore of Lake Balaton with its quasi-Mediterranean climate also produces great local wines that pair well with the area’s fish-centric food. Most people associate the Beaujolais region with Beaujolais Nouveau, the young, fruity, light-bodied red wine made from the gamay grape, sold in early November right after the vintage is bottled. But Nouveau isn’t the only wine made here. In fact, Beaujolais is home to a number of excellent cru wines and the birthplace of the popular natural wine movement. “Beaujolais is pushing the envelope by innovating and rescuing old winemaking traditions,” says Leo Monterrey, partner and wine curator at Alter and BarAlter in Miami. It doesn’t hurt that the region is just as beautiful as Burgundy and is just north of Lyon, one of the culinary capitals of the world. The Margaret River Valley, south of Perth on Australia’s western coast, is known as much for its natural beauty and purple sunsets as for its amazing premium wines.

“It’s California beach town meets Napa,” says Lulu McAllister, wine director at Nopa and Liholiho Yacht Club in San Francisco. Thanks to its proximity to the Indian Ocean, the climate is almost Mediterranean and ideal for a variety of reds and whites, from Bordeaux grapes like cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and sauvignon blanc to chardonnay and chenin blanc. A standout is the Cullen winery, where you can taste a sauvignon blanc sémillon over a meal in the garden restaurant. If you’re planning a trip to Venice, make a detour to this northeastern Italian region—in particular to the wine areas of Isonzo, Carso, and Collio. The food and wine scenes here are dynamic and exciting, with a great generation of young winemakers taking over older domains and putting a new spin on traditional wines. “This small region produces fantastic whites and reds,” says Grant Reynolds, wine director at Charlie Bird and Pasquale Jones in New York City. “Friulano [once known as Tocai Friulano] is the mother grape for whites, which have a lot of texture, minerality, and a unique briny character, while maintaining a lot of body and weight.

The reds are more esoteric—peppery, smoky and herbaceous, almost like a northern Rhône syrah.” Island of Hvar, Croatia It’s not just Croatian beaches that are getting rediscovered—Croatian wine is as well. Wine’s been made here since the ancient Greeks, and this history has left an impressive tradition of indigenous varietals like Plavac Mali, which is believed to be an ancestor of zinfandel. Rachael Lowe, sommelier and beverage director at Spiaggia and Café Spiaggia in Chicago, can’t wait to visit the island of Hvar, off the Dalmatian coast—not only for its party vibes and Instagram-ready beaches, but also for the wines, both red and white. Bonus: Many vineyards on the southern coast have spectacular Mediterranean views. Less established than Rioja, the Vinos de Madrid Denominación south of Spain’s capital has recently emerged as a region with a modern sensibility and a focus on biodynamic and natural wines. “I’m intrigued by this area because there is a current of young and passionate naturally-minded winemakers, who are cultivating a wonderful wine community,” says Helen Johannessen, wine director at Trois Mec and Animal in Los Angeles.