How to Choose Wine for a Dinner Party

It's no secret that good wine stimulates good conversation. At a dinner party, good conversation is arguably just as important as the food. That's why choosing the right wine for a dinner party is a crucial part of the evening. But don't worry, you aren't in this alone. Choosing a bottle of wine that's right for your party and your budget is the type of challenge wine experts live for.

Get the Most for Your Money

When you pull out a bottle of Yellow Tail Chardonnay at a party, everyone knows how little you've spent. If you don't want to advertise your wine budget so loudly, consider wine from lesser-known regions and varietals. If you do, Sommelier and Wine Importer Justin Gallen claims there are "too many values to count." One example is " target="_NEW" rel=>wine-labels-new-york-city" target="_NEW" rel=>Grüner Veltliner from Austria. "There are always bargains to be had in the $10 to $15 range," Gallen says. "It's light enough to drink by itself as an aperitif but also has enough flavor to go with almost any food."

Director of Wine and Sommelier at The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco, Stephane Lacroix, agrees: if you want to impress without overspending, buy from more obscure regions. He recommends looking towards the South of France for reds. Specifically the Languedoc-Roussillon region, which produces "outstanding wines at great prices." Syrah/Grenache blends from this region can have blueberry, spice and pepper notes and a style that Lacroix says "is similar to Châteauneuf-du-Pape at a much lower price point."

If you're worried about serving a wine you're not familiar with at party, it pays to plan ahead. Take advantage of tasting events held at wine shops. If you sample a killer wine within your budget, invest in a case. Most shops offer case discounts, so you'll be saving money in the long run and you'll always have wine on hand for parties. As a general guideline, one bottle of wine equals five glasses.

Don't Forget About the Food

Choosing a wine to pair with the food being served is something a good wine shop can help you with. Lacroix recommends selecting wines that are "in tune with the quality of the meal to best enjoy and showcase the products and ingredients selected."

If several courses are being served, pairing a new wine with each course is not always necessary. However, it can trigger good conversation. "As exciting as it is to enjoy different courses during a meal," says Lacroix, " it is also fun and interesting to enjoy different wines, as it adds to the enjoyment of the moment."

If you aren't up to the challenge of pairing wine and food or don't know what type of food will be served, don't fret. "I usually bring a Riesling for a white and a Pinot Noir for the red if I don't know what food will be served," says Gallen, "Both of those wines are, to me, the most versatile with food."

Think Like a Wine Pro

So what do Sommeliers choose for their own dinner parties?

Stephane Lacroix usually brings Champagne. "You can't go wrong here," he says. In the summertime, however, he might opt to serve a less-expensive sparkling wine like Moscato d'Asti from the Piedmont region in Italy. He suggests serving the slightly sweet Moscato d'Asti for dessert with fresh apricots, peaches and berries. Justin Gallen varies in what he likes to serve at parties, but his choice is always adventurous. "I like to bring new varieties and wines from different countries, in case someone wants to try something new and interesting and off the beaten path. What is there to lose?"

— Written by Jennifer Meier

Photo credit: iStock

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