If you’re going to a party where alcohol is being served, you can bet they’ll be serving wine. It may even be the only thing they’re serving other than beer. So, it’s important to know what wine to serve when it’s your turn to play host.
With so many different types out there, it can be easy to think you have to serve a bunch of different kinds to make sure all your guests are happy. But in reality, offering multiple different kinds just leaves you open to running out of the popular bottles. If you’ve splurged and hired bartenders, they’ll be guessing at which kind the guest is drinking, and heaven forbid they mix when they go to refill!
We all know that person who’s been to Napa one time and now only drinks wines from So-and-So vineyard with Such-and-Such grapes. But in reality, most people just want wine, and will be happy to have the option between a white and a red.
Your key to success: Keep It Simple. Buying one white and one red is easier for replenishing quickly, as you know by default what the guest is drinking. If you’d like to offer one red, pick a cabernet sauvignon or a red blend. For a white option, a pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc is typically more crowd-pleasing than a heavier varietal like chardonnay. If you’re set on offering a chardonnay, select one that is well balanced, as white wine drinkers tend to have strong opinions on buttery versus oaky undertones.
Buying two whites and two reds is all the variety needed (really!) unless you are hosting a wine tasting or similar wine-centric event. Balance the varieties by offering a lighter option and a fuller-bodied version of each wine type. For example, a pinot grigio and a chardonnay offers variety for white wine options, and a pinot noir and a cabernet are good options for red wine.
Our one exception to this rule: rosé. Not quite red and not quite white, it’s basically Goldilocks’s perfect wine. In the warmer months, it’s especially a must. It’s not just Ladies-Who-Lunch who drink this wine like water – it’s almost always the go-to order for showers and daytime social occasions.
Even though it’s {literally} your job to plan the party with your guests in mind, only buy wine that you would be happy to drink again. What you like to drink is likely going to satisfy your guests, and you can celebrate a party-well-thrown with any leftovers. Buy wine by the case for a discount, and seek stores that offer a cash or debit discounts for even bigger savings. Some stores will even do buy-backs of unopened wine, so be sure to ask for details and chill-as-you-go for easy returns!
