Consider Wine for Your Party

Consider Wine for Your Party

Whether you’re planning a company party or a gathering in your home, it must consider wine for your party. But what should you do if you don’t even drink wine or you don’t know a thing about it?

We’ve put together this trusty guide from wine experts around the world offering advice about how to pick the perfect wines for your holiday party.

Choose your approach

Depending on the size of your party, you may want to go big, choosing a few expensive wines that will pack a punch, or look for bargains that still offer a big taste.

Think about everyone

Some people prefer white over red, sweet over dry, and vice versa. You’ll need to have the staples on hand, such as a Chardonnay and Cabernet. But beyond that, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc are also becoming a go-to choice for wine drinkers.

Consider the meal

You’ll also want to keep the menu in mind as you’re choosing wines. If you’re serving a roasted meat, for instance, reds from Rhone are an ideal choice. If the meal is lighter, you may want to pair a crisp white wine with the soup course and a sweeter wine before dessert.

Go with a theme

If you’re serving regional cuisine, keep in line with that theme when choosing the wines. In this case, it’s best to go with regional wines to complement the courses. Or get creative with your wine choice if you’re serving an elaborate meal or your guests will appreciate tasting new wines.

Plan the presentation

The way you present the wine will go a long toward impressing your guests. If you’re sampling wines for your party and you prefer one label over another because it’s more sophisticated, simple or funny, go with that one.

Need even more guidance? Food & Wine recommends trying some of these lower-priced wines:

• 2007 Hess Select Monterey Chardonnay
• 2009 MAN Vintners Chenin Blanc
• 2007 Kenwood Vineyards Red Table Wine
• 2007 Trumpeter Malbec

Here are some general recommends offered by the Wall Street Journal:

• Interested in white wine? Try a Muscadet from the Loire Valley in France, a fairly dry wine. Pinot Grigio from Italy is fresh and lively. For an alternative to Chardonnay, try a Macon or Saint-Veran from France. New Zealand makes a terrific Sauvignon Blanc.
• For a fresh take on red wine, try one from Portugal, a dry, earthy wine. A French Beaujolais-Villages is sure to delight and makes an easy transition from white to red wine. A Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile and Pinot Noir from the United States are great choices, too.

If you’d like to leave the choice of wine up to an expert, contact HideAway Country Inn. Our wine sommelier can walk you through the many options in our award-winning wine cellar.

As a five-year winner of the Wine Spectator’s coveted award, you’ll be happy you put your trust in HideAway’s expert wine services.

Book your family gathering or corporate party at our boutique hotel today!