Wines to Serve at a Dinner Party

You've spent weeks preparing for a fancy dinner party. Everything is planned, from what to serve to which cloth napkins to use. Place cards are made and the seating arrangement is set. The fine china is spotless and the silver is polished.

One decision that stumps many people is what wine to serve with dinner.

Pinot Noir with Poultry or Pork

Whether you serve turkey or ham, Pinot Noir is an excellent choice. The velvet texture and light fruity flavor make it a fine match for either ham or turkey.

Acacia Vineyard in California has a nice selection of Pinot Noir wines, ranging in price from $28 for a bottle of 2006 Pinot Noir, Carneros to $100 for a 1.5L bottle of 2004 Pinot Noir, Lone Tree.

Chardonnay with Poultry

If you prefer white wine with your turkey dinner, try a nice Chardonnay. The tropical fruit flavors of the Chardonnay will be a nice companion to turkey or baked chicken.

Acacia Vineyard also has a nice selection of Chardonnays, that range in price from $22 for a 2006 Chardonnay, Carneros to 2004 1.5L Chardonnay, Carneros for $42.

Riesling with Pork

For a nice white wine to serve with ham, try a Riesling. Riesling wines offer the fruity flavors of apricots and passion fruit to compliment a delicious spiral-cut ham or pork roast.

August Cellars in Oregon sells a 2006 Riesling Yakima Valley, Washington for $14.

Cabernet Sauvignon with Beef

If you are planning to serve prime rib, a red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, will fare well. Cabernet Sauvignon has a richness that will not be over-powered by bold flavors of the meat.

A nice, inexpensive choice, at $21.99, is Galil Cabernet Sauvignon, offered by Jericho Wines, which is located in Garden City Park, New York. Galil Cabernet Sauvignon is lightly fruity, with just a hint of herbs.

Dessert Wines

To finish off a delicious meal, Adams Point Winery in California offers both California Red After Dinner Wine and California white After Dinner Wine. The red is a blend of Cabernet, Syrah and Petite Syrah and the white is a blend of Chardonnay, Colombard and Chennin Blanc.

In the mood to finish your meal with something chocolaty? Try their decadent Chocolate Dessert Wine.

Each of these three wine choices are reasonably priced at $16.50. The California Red After Dinner Wine and California white After Dinner Wine bottles are 750ml and the Chocolate Dessert Wine bottles are 375 ml.

Break Out the Bubbly

Still can't make up your mind? Any night can be a special occasion if you add champagne, so pop the cork, and let the bubbly flow. Champagne (or a quality sparkling wine) goes with nearly everything.

The Korbel Champagne Cellars offer many champagne choices, including Korbel Le Premier, priced at $24.99 a bottle has a nutty aroma and light flavors of apple and berries.