No matter what kind of person you are, holding dinner parties can be a great way of socializing with your friends and colleagues regularly. Although some people may not have enough time in their busy schedules to go around visiting associates just to be friendly, we’ve all got to eat, right? And so sending out invitations offering some free grub is bound to go down well. Even so, there’s a lot more to think about than food when planning something like this, as I will explain in a moment.
Making a good decision on the wine selection can make or break an evening event like this, but don’t worry, you don’t have to be a connoisseur to get things right. All you need is some good advice and the chances of you selecting the right bottles will be greatly increased. You see; certain types of wine are designed to complement certain types of food, so as long as you learn the basics, you’ll stand in good stead. You’ll need to purchase one of the products available from Granville Wine Racks if you intend to make this a regular thing, but that’s a minor detail really.
Champaign For Nibbles
Let’s face it, most champagne tastes pretty bad, but it does have a high alcohol content, and it tends to go straight to your head thanks to the number of bubbles. This is why it’s perfect for the first drink of any dinner party, as it often helps people to relax and start enjoying themselves. Just make sure your guests don’t drink too much of it, or else they might need to book a taxi home sooner than they’d planned.
White Wine For Appetizers
Your first course should always be served with a light and flavorsome white wine, especially if you doing a starter of soup or something similar. Anything from the Loire Valley in France is preferable because this region is renowned for producing some of the least heavy and fruity beverages in the world. Don’t stress too much about buying expensive bottles, you can actually get good quality whites from the supermarkets these days for less than £10.
Red Wine For Main Meals
It’s essential that you swap to red wine when serving your main course because you want to avoid fizzy solutions. This is because your guests will have a hard time eating all their food when it’s accompanied by something that contains so much gas. If you’re not a massive fan of red, then maybe you should see how rose goes down. I would advise that you always keep a bottle of red on hand though, because some of your more traditional diners may prefer this.
Sweet Wine For Dessert
No matter how sweet your dessert menu may be, it’s important that you always compliment it with sweet wine. It doesn’t really matter whether you opt for white, red, or rose; just make sure your guests are happy, and everything should be okay.
Sparkling Wine For Celebrations
No dinner party is complete without some kind of celebratory drink, and so it’s important to provide something that your guests can cheers with. Of course, Champagne is a classic choice but depending on the event you might consider a Prosecco or even a Cava instead. Sparkling wines are much less heavy and sweet than regular white wines, and they often have a refreshing taste that stimulates conversation and enjoyment. Plus, it’s easy to find sparkling wines for all budgets, so if you’re looking for an affordable alternative to Champagne then this is the way to go.
The Benefits Of Serving Natural Wines
In recent years there has been an increasing trend amongst wine lovers as more people turn towards natural options. Although these may come with a slight expense compared to more traditional choices, their health benefits make them well worth splashing out on. Natural wines are made using grapes that are grown without any pesticides or herbicides, making them one of the most sustainable and eco-friendly options available in today’s market. If you want to reduce your carbon footprint while still offering your guests delicious drinks then opting for natural wines could be the perfect solution.
Food Pairing & Wine Selection Advice
Making sure you get the wine selection right at your next dinner party doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. All you need is a bit of advice regarding food pairing and how different types of wine can complement certain dishes. For example;a light Sauvignon Blanc works better with fish than a Chardonnay would because Chardonnays tend to be fuller bodied and less fruity in comparison. Meanwhile, red meats should always be matched with heavier reds like Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah so that their strong flavours don’t overpower each other when consumed together.
So, there you have it my friends. They were the secrets to selecting the most appropriate wines for your dinner party. Now you’ll be able to wow your friends and ensure they always come back for more.
Have fun!
