Questions? call 866.909.WINE or email ben@cellaraiders.com
Questions? call 866.909.WINE or email ben@cellaraiders.com
If you've been invited to a winter dinner party and are looking for something to bring the host, you can't go wrong with a bottle of wine. But are you not sure where to begin when it comes to choosing the right bottle of wine and presenting it? We've got some pointers!
Let's face it: some wines are better suited for specific times of year. For winter, consider heartier and bolder wines, such as:
If you're looking to bring something a little lighter, you also can't go wrong with a nice sparkling wine or champagne. After all, these celebratory wines are great no matter what time of year.
What about food and wine pairings? Generally, dry red wines (like Cabernet) tend to pair better with red meats, whereas white wines are better suited for chicken and fish dishes. If you're not sure what will be served at the dinner you're attending, consider bringing something versatile, such as a chardonnay. Of course, you also can't go wrong with bringing two bottles of wine: one red and one white!
There is really no wrong way to gift a bottle of wine, but if you want to go out of your way to do something nice, you might consider presenting it with a bouquet of flowers or a dessert. You can consider your bottle of wine a gift to your host or something to share with the entire dinner party. If you plan on the latter, be sure to consider the number of people in attendance and try to bring enough for everybody to have at least one glass.
Don't be offended if the wine you bring isn't opened during dinner; your host may simply be saving it for him or herself to enjoy as a much-deserved treat after the party!
If you're thinking of hosting your own winter dinner party, have fun with wine by incorporating a wine tasting into the event for your guests. Try to pick up a wide range of wines, including both dry and sweet options. From there, encourage your guests to try them in order from dry to sweet. You might also consider setting out a spread of cheese, crackers, and fresh fruit to go along with the wine.
Make sure each wine is well labeled and consider printing out a wine list for each of your guests. This way, if they come across a wine they love, they can take notes and will have the name of the wine for reference if they wish to buy a bottle for themselves after the tasting.
During the tasting, encourage guests to discuss each wine and the hints of flavors they experience with each. You don't need to be a wine expert to do this; feel free to keep it light-hearted and have some fun with it!
Dinner parties are a great excuse to break out a bottle (or several) of wine. And if you've been invited to a dinner party, your host will appreciate you bringing a bottle that will pair nicely with the meal they're preparing! If you’re looking for that special bottle, take a look at what Cellaraiders has to offer. You can find something unique and sure to impress everyone at your gathering.
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