Wine When Hosting a Dinner Party - Do's and Don'ts

When it comes to wine there are several do's and don'ts that go along with it. If you're a wine lover you know that there can be many mishaps along the way to serving wine, receiving wine as a gift and so much more. For those of you who are new to wine and all it's beauty along with all it's quirks, then this guide is for you. Here you can learn the do's and don'ts of what should or should not happen when it comes to wine and hosting a dinner party.

Accept A Gift Of Wine Graciously

Many times when you are hosting a dinner party a guest or even several guest will bring a bottle of wine as a gift. Although it is not uncommon to serve the gifted wine at the party, don't feel bad if it doesn't fit in with your menu. If the wine does not go with the menu you have prepared or if you already have a wine picked out you can say something along the lines of "Thank you! I will add it to my wine collection." and this will let the guest know you appreciate it but it will not be served tonight.

Never Use Wine Glass For Dairy Products

Glassware is a subject that can be full of missteps along the way, but it can also be a great subject once you know what to do. With glassware, wine glass in particular, are pitted. Pitted means that there are tiny indentation in the glass that although the naked eye can not see them, under a microscope they are viewable. These tiny little pits can pick up odors, especially dairy odors, and hold on to them. No one wants to taste or smell milk when they are drinking wine. So leave the wine glasses for wine and drink milk in something else.

Let Your Guest Read The Label

No I don't mean hand them the bottle, unless they ask of course, but when pouring wine make sure that the label is facing your guest. Be proud of the wine you are serving. If you are serving an inexpensive wine instead of "hiding" the label decant the wine. This will save you from any embarrassment you might feel while still offering wine to your guest.

Be A Good Host

When your hosting a dinner party make sure to pour the wine for your guest, it is a sign of generosity. You should also make sure you keep the wine glasses of your guest full but not over flowing. Always make sure to have enough wine on had. One bottle of wine has enough wine to offer six guest about 4oz of wine. If you know there will be many wine drinkers at your dinner party make sure you do the math so that no glass is left empty during the party.

Arrange From Left To Right

When setting up your table for a dinner party always remember to place the glasses in the order they will be used, from left to right. The water glass should be placed to the left of the wine glass. This not only will make for a beautiful presentation of your dinning table but also helps guess to know what glass they are using first.

Above all else enjoy your diner party. Serving good food, having great conversation and of course good wine is key to any great event!