How to Incorporate Wine into a Dinner Party

By: Hunter Sprague

Introduction from Kate: I am so excited to introduce my good friend Hunter Sprague. Hunter is a wine connoisseur who believes that no dinner party is complete without good wine. He has taught me so much about the art of wine pairing, and I am honored that he is sharing with us today! I know his insight and knowledge have been so helpful for me in planning my dinner parties, and I hope it does the same for you! So take it away, Hunter!

Everyone loves to wine and dine every now and again… I think that’s scientific fact. Thus, the quintessential dinner party needs an ample amount of vino for the guests. There’s a lot more to it, though, than pouring a glass of Two-Buck Chuck and calling it a night (save that for the kick-your-feet-up-and-relax evening the day after the party. You earned it).

You’ve likely spent all week preparing — and using recipes from The Everyday Hostess, obviously — so you’re not going to pair your carefully-crafted appetizers and entrées with the first thing you see on the shelf. That’s where I come in. I’ve provided some guidelines to keep front of mind when planning your next dinner party:

Kick the night off with some bubbly. It’s a crowd-pleaser, and it pairs with any appetizer on this blog. I’d personally recommend Prosecco. It’s light, fruity, and reasonably priced. Anything from Italy in the $10-$25 price range will surely be a hit. Nobody wants to be at the dinner party that runs out of sparkling wine, so play it safe here. Any extras can be saved for your next brunch party or any after-dinner entertainment.

Once all the guests have arrived and the food starts coming out, there’s a ton of variation on what wines to open, when to open them, and what to pair them with. There’s a lot to think about. But I’ve got your back. 

1.     Appetizers / First Course: 
   1. What to Serve: White Wine
   2. How To Serve: Make sure it’s very cold. Put it in the refrigerator or on ice before guests arrive.
   3. Which Specific Wines:
      1. Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio from Oregon or New Zealand. The cold climate and abundance of sun make them very citrusy and acidic, which will wash the cheese right down, or complement the fruit nicely.
   4. Pairing: Cheese, Veggies, Dips, Fruit & Nuts, and any dish that is light-colored
      1. Avoid meat or anything in a red sauce when serving white wine. Opposites don’t attract here.
   5. What to Avoid: Chardonnay 
   6. Purchasing: $15 is more than enough for these wines. They grow very well in those regions. Years and age are irrelevant and most stores carry the latest vintage.
   7. How Much Wine: This depends on how much food, but I’d say 1 bottle for every 3 people. If it’s a hit, people will want a second glass, but some may be saving up for the main course.

1.  The Main Course:
   1. What to Serve: 1 Light Red, 1 Regular Red, 1 Heavier White
   2. How To Serve: Both reds should be at 65-70 degrees. Room temperature is truly fine though. The white wine should be placed in the fridge with the first set of white wine.
   3. Which Specific Wines:
      1. Light Red: Pinot Noir – Oregon or New Zealand have some incredible wines at $10-$20.
      2. Regular Red: In order of weight (heavier wines go with heavier dishes) stick with:
         1. California Merlot, Italian Borolo or Chianti (Pro Tip: look for ‘Classico’ on the label), Argentinean Malbec or South American Cabernet Sauvignon
      3. Heavier White Wine: Italian Pinot Grigrio, Dry Reisling, or anything white from France.
   4. How Much Wine: 1 bottle is good for 3 people. Assume that 50% will drink the regular red, 35% will drink the Pinot Noir, and 15% will drink the heavier white wine.
   5. Where to Buy: Total Wine or Specs is great. $15 is a good target for each of the wines listed. You can find some gems for around $10, and anything over $20 is just trying to impress you.

If you and your guests are wanting a nightcap or something to round out the evening, Rosé, Sparkling Wine (see why I said buy extra?), Sweet Riesling, or Sparkling Rosé are all great wines to pair with sweet desserts. For the guys perusing this post: if you’re worried that Sparking Rosé is too girly, don’t. It’s delicious.

These are just some pointers for you when thinking about wine. Don’t purchase everything I listed here, because that’s a lot of wine, and someone will get hurt. But, if your friends like to imbibe, over-buy to err on cautious (and more fun) side.

Oh, and make sure everyone takes an Uber. You’ll understand why after the party.

Cheers!

By: Hunter Sprague

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