Choosing that Perfect Wine for a Dinner Party

So, you find yourself having been invited to a dinner party and decided to bring the host a bottle of wine. But which type of wine should you buy? I am sure you have seen people seemingly bewildered in front of the wine shelves at the local grocery or liquor store. You have seen them, staring dumbly with no idea what wine to pick out. After you read this article, you can be assured you will never be one of those people.

Choosing a wine can be a tricky decision. You want your selection to please as many people as possible including your host. If you know ahead what is on the menu, the choice becomes easier. The general guidelines are as follows:

- Light-bodied wines complement light food.

- Full-bodied wines are needed when pairing with hearty food.

However, in the situation where you do not know the menu, it is ok as there are a few other key items to consider.

Host Preference

It is very important to consider the host. If you know the host well, you may want to select a bottle that suits his or her individual preferences. If you're less familiar with your host's favorites, select a popular wine variety such as Chardonnay or Merlot.

You can further customize the choice by selecting a wine that matches the recipient´s personality or intended usage. Are they more likely to open the bottle soon or age it in their cellar? Will they savor it during an everyday dinner or bring it out to impress friends? Do they have a fondness towards a particular wine or growing region?

Price Considerations

Of course all decisions must be balanced with respect to its price. In the situation of having a budget of $25 and above, your selections choices are wide open. A favorite of mine and a crowd pleaser is a Cabernet, a well rounded and highly excepted classic.

Ok, now let's take a look at the $15 to $25 budget range. My suggestion here is that you just stick with a traditional Chardonnay or Merlot. They are both widely appreciated and just a bit less costly than Cabernets.

Even at $15 and under there are some really enjoyable choices. For $10 you can get Veramonte Cabnernet Sauvignon from the Casablanca Valley, located in Chile. Another great selection is the Australian Shiraz or the Sauvignon Blancs, both of which may pleasantly surprise the recipient.

Contributor: Stuart Glasure [A wine enthusiast and publishing member of the wine source: http://www.WineDefinitions.com.]

---

What is Corked Wine?

Keeping a wine bottle sealed is probably the most important... Read More

Barbera Wine

Barbera is a wine grape variety from Monferrato in Piemonte,... Read More

Counting Carbs With Wine

The recent health claims that wines have antioxidants... Read More

France Car Hire

Here is a quick summary of the different French wine... Read More

Wine and Your Health

During the 1990s, a physician voiced on a national TV... Read More

The Mystery of Decanting

Decanting is a strange word to many people. Some do... Read More

Enjoy Your Favorite Wine - But With Some Rules

The mere mention of etiquette brings to mind various images,... Read More

Uses of Mirror Tinted Contact Lenses

Mirror tinted contact lenses have become a topic of interest... Read More

An Idiots Guide To Wine Tasting

Have you ever seen those stiff upper-lipped types doing a... Read More

Merlot Wine

Merlot wine is a rich, soft wine with the flavor... Read More

Carignane Wine

The Carignane grape variety is one of the most widely... Read More

Ideal Wine Temperature

The ideal temperature to store wines is between 55ºF and... Read More

If You Plan On Drinking, Do These Critical Things Before You Leave The House

Buy a BreathalyzerA Breathalyzer is a portable hand-held device in... Read More

An Introduction to Wine

What is wine?Wine has been made for centuries from just... Read More

Gewurztraminer Wine

Gewurztraminer is an excellent and unique grape variety that is... Read More

Choosing a Wine Gift Basket

During the holiday season, most of us are in a... Read More

Choosing that Perfect Wine for a Dinner Party

So, you find yourself having been invited to a dinner... Read More

Pairing Beer With Food

Pairing beer with the fine cuisine has recently come to... Read More

Wine Making and Home Brewing: Whats the Deal?

When it comes to making alcoholic beverages at home, wine... Read More

Alchoholism, A Major Diesease?

Alcoholism can be given a lot of definitions and all... Read More

Tequila

It was once a ritual usually performed by a man.... Read More

Beer, Wine and Your Bones

If you like the taste of a good brew, then... Read More

Chablis Wine

Chablis is thought to have originated in northern Spain and... Read More

A Private Owners Guide to Bottling Fine Whisky

The majority of private owners of whisky casks are looking... Read More

Who Made the First Wine Anyway?

Although details are understandably sketchy, it is believed that, around... Read More

Beer and The Commodities Market

Most branded products and agricultural products are not commodities. However... Read More

Food - Wine Pairing Tips For French and Italian Wines

Many people are intimidated by the task of selecting wine... Read More

How to Order Wine in a Restaurant

Ordering wine in a restaurant is not much different than... Read More

How Sparkling Wine is Made

There are three methods that may be used to make... Read More

Whisky Syndicates

Whisky syndicates are groups of private owners and many have... Read More

Using Cooking Wine

Cooking wine is sort of a holdover from prohibition. People... Read More

Wine Etiquette With Ease

Correct wine etiquette makes the tasting experience much more enjoyable.... Read More

Wine Tasting -- The Traditional Way

Wine tasting is properly known as 'Wine Degustation'. It is... Read More