Choosing Wine for a Dinner Party

Q:  When preparing for a dinner party how many bottles of wine should I buy? Should I pair the wine with the food I’m serving or to the taste of my guests?

A: Normally one bottle of wine will serve 5 to 6 people with the glasses filled half way. During a dinner party where wine is the primary drink, you can plan for about 3 drinks per person. When inviting your guests also keep in mind that everyone may not want a glass of wine. So for about 10 guests (including yourself  and  all drink wine), I would purchase about 5 bottles.

To answer your second question, I would pair my wine with the food I’m offering but keep in mind the tastes of my guests. If I know some of my guests prefer white wine over red wine (or vice versa) I would purchase wines accordingly, ultimately try to choose wines that will not overpower your meal but compliment it.

Good luck with your dinner party, please feel free to follow up and let us know how it went 🙂

~ Chef Watson

Some Food & Wine Pairing Recommendations:

White Wines

Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with tart sauces and dressings

Pinot Grigio & Chardonnay pairs well with seafood dishes.

Red Wines

Pinot Noir pairs well with earthy dishes, like mushrooms

Malbec pairs well with spicy and sweet dishes because of its deep and bold flavor

Cabernet Sauvignon pairs well with red meats, lamb, and pork