The Best Wines to Bring for Dinner Parties

If you’re headed to a dinner party, it’s always best practice to bring something to contribute. More often than not, this “something” usually comes in the form of a bottle of wine. For those who are newer to the wine sphere, knowing which type of wine for which occasion can be tricky. Luckily there are a few general rules of thumb to help you out when making your selection. If you’re about to buy alcohol online or head out to your local wine shop to pick something up, make sure you’re factoring in these crucial details!

When bringing wine to share with others, it’s best to stick to some of the standard favorites that are generally well-liked across the board. If you’re going white, then these include your Pinot Grigio which is a crisp dry wine with hints of citrus and lemon, or a Sauvignon Blanc which has slightly more acidity to it and notes of grapefruit and minerality. If you’re opting for red, then it’s hard to go wrong with a Pinot Noir or Cabernet Sauvignon. The former can have spicy, earthy, or fruity undertones depending on the brand, while the latter offers a fuller mouth feel with rich dark fruit flavors. Finally, if you’re looking for something to bring to a brunch, a versatile bottle of rosé or sparkling wine is always a great touch.

Although some wine lovers stick to the same type of wine year-round, when considering what to bring to a party to share in good company, it’s a good idea to consider the season and weather. Afterall, it can be hard to enjoy a big bold red wine in 95 degree weather. In the warmer months, consider bringing a refreshing white, rosé, or lighter red wine and put a slight chill on the bottle before serving. A Pinot Noir, Gamay, Trousseau, Grenache, or any red wine that is made using Carbonic Maceration which creates a lighter, less tannic red wine that you can chill and enjoy. In the colder months when you want something to warm your bones, try a richer white wine like an oaky Chardonnay or go for a higher alcohol big red wine like Zinfandel, Merlot, Tempranillo, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Now that you know some of the basics, let’s think about guest flavor preferences. If you want to ensure you’re opting for the right wine, you can always shoot the host a message asking if they have any preferences. If you’re uncomfortable doing so for whatever reason, then starting with the basics as well as looking at the food menu is a great way to make an educated guess at what wine might be good for this specific occasion.

There are some general guidelines when pairing wine with food that can help you decide what wine to bring based on the dinner menu. Here are some helpful tips to cover the basics!

• White wine usually goes well with lighter meat such as seafood, fish, or chicken.
• Red wine is a great option for heavier meats like steak, lamb, beef, and pork.
• Bitter reds go great with fattier meats like ribeyes, New York strips, or porterhouses. 
• Don’t forget to consider sauces! Heavier cream-based sauces go great with crisp whites, whereas tomato-based meat sauces are good with rich reds.

While you’re the guest, make sure you take a few moments to clock what other types of wine are being served and if the host mentions any specific preferences. This way you’ll have some great insight into what to bring next time you’re invited over!

To find the perfect bottle of wine for your next dinner party, head over to Rollers Wine & Spirits to buy alcohol online. We have a specially curated selection stemming from over 50 years as beverage industry experts. Check out the incredible selection of reds, whites, rosés, and sparkling wines we have to offer!