Let’s face it, choosing a dinner party wine isn’t always a case of just grabbing something from the wine cellar, mainly because most people don’t have wine cellars. We don’t. The good news is you don’t need a degree in grape psychology to make a tasteful section! Read on for some tips on selecting a wine to enhance the flavors of the dishes and leave your dinner party guests feeling ‘grape-ful’!
Basic rule numero uno: fish gets chummy with white wine, while meat does the tango with red.
As a rule of thumb, white should be served with fish and red with meat. In both cases, the heartier and richer the dish, the more structured the wine must be. So, for example, if you’re serving a vegetarian tart or shellfish, go for a light Sauvignon Blanc. With fish served in a creamy sauce, choose a round Chardonnay.
Aiming to start things off with a fizzy preamble? Sparkling wine makes an excellent aperitif but it also goes perfectly with fried foods or cheese-based recipes. A dry white wine with lively acidity works similarly, while a more structured, oak-aged white will be a perfect pick for poultry. So, if you’re serving a vegetarian tart or shellfish, go for a light Sauvignon Blanc. With fish served in a creamy sauce or chicken, choose a round Chardonnay.
Now, let’s talk reds, the James Deans of the wine universe…
Fruity red wines with soft tannins, like Pinot Noir, are ideal with pork or charcuterie. Juicy reds like Merlot work deliciously with rich pasta dishes, such as lasagna. But with beef, lamb or game open a bottle of full-bodied Cab Sav. When in doubt, check the back of the label: there may be some helpful info.
Don’t experiment too much.
Always best to pick popular varieties like the ones mentioned above, as they will always be a crowd-pleasing choice.
Don’t forget to verify the dietary requirements.
Not always necessary, but good to check if the wine is suitable for vegetarians and vegans, as some products of animal origins may be used during winemaking.
Do consider quantities.
A bottle of wine serves 6 medium glasses. Count your guests and do the math. Or if you don’t like math – check out this nifty Dinner Party Wine Calculator from Vinepair.com.
So, go forth and pour, and may your dinner party be the stuff of legends – or at least, Instagram stories.
