Entertaining Archives

Having more wine is the best bet for the party

by Lorri | Dec 20, 2017 | UnCorked

When it comes to wine and entertaining for the holidays everyone seems to have the same concerns: how much to have on hand and exactly what to serve.

Quantity seems to be the most pressing issue when entertaining. As we all know, and as I have observed, people’s capacity and consumption of alcohol varies enormously. My advice is always play it safe with too much on hand rather than turning up short. A good rule of thumb is that one (750-milliliter) bottle of wine will equal about five (5-ounce) glasses. For dinner parties and evening affairs that will last several hours plan on 2 to 3 glasses per person throughout the evening. For lunches and afternoon gatherings you can scale back to 1 to 2 glasses per person. You can never buy too much — just save the excess for your next party and remember that running out of wine can swiftly change a festive mood.

Start with what I like to call “entrance wines” or the drink offered to your guests as they arrive. These should be simple, refreshing and most importantly lower alcohol. These wines can also be used for large gatherings when only offering appetizers. Champagne and sparkling wines are ideal because not only do they check all the boxes but add an even more festive, celebratory feel to the occasion. For budget-friendly alternatives to expensive French bubbly consider sparkling wines from Argentina and California.

Nonblubbly wines to consider include unoaked chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio, chablis or viognier.

For large gatherings the key is to keep it simple. This is not the time to bring out your expensive cellar collection wines. For anyone who has cleaned up after large parties or as guests are being seated to dinner it can be heartbreaking for your prized wines to be found in glasses only half drunk on a living room table.

THE VALUE

NV Pascual Toso Brut, Argentina (about $16 retail)

THE SPLURGE

2016 Calera Central Coast Viognier, California (about $38 retail)

Wine with formal dining is something most of us don’t do day-to-day considering our everyday meals generally involve one dish, one wine and one utensil. So, with multi-course dinners it can be confusing and awkward. Start with your budget. If this is where you want to impress your guests buy the most expensive wines you can afford. Or open one of those special occasion bottles you have been saving. This is that “special occasion” to share with friends and family. Depending on your dinner menu, if you’re planning to serve multiple wines over the course of the evening, a general rule to serve wines “from lighter to fuller bodied wines and younger wines to older wines.” For example, salad or soup course with a light bodied white wine, main entree with a full-bodied red wine and dessert with your prized sweet vintage Port.

THE VALUE

2016 Bell Lake County Sauvignon Blanc, California (about $17 retail)

THE SPLURGE

Ramos Pinto 10 Year Tawny Port, Portugal (about $48 retail)

And finally, the most important entertaining tip: be sure to have designated drivers or call a car service or taxi for any guest who has overindulged. Just as you planned each aspect to ensure your guests the perfect evening, do the same by seeing that only safe drivers leave your party.

Here’s to hostess with the mostest

by Lorri | Nov 30, 2011 | UnCorked

Naughty and Nice Glasses With all of the forthcoming celebrations, now is the time to get organized and let the wine be the easiest part of your entertaining. The following are some common questions.

Can I use the same glass for red, white, Champagne, tea and water?

One glass can easily be used for all except the bubbly. For all-in-one serving, look for a glass size in between the traditional white and red. But for Champagne, the flute is the best choice. Without the rolling celebratory bubbles, this style of wine loses its luster in traditional stemware.

How many servings are in a wine bottle?

A standard wine bottle holds 750 milliliters, which is about 25 ounces. The average pour for any glassware should be about 5 ounces, giving you five servings per bottle. (Keep in mind if you are “filling” wine glasses, especially large red wine stems, expect to get much less per bottle.)

How much wine do I need to buy?

It may seem excessive but a good rule is it is better to have too much than not enough. For a wine-only gathering (no cocktails or beer) lasting two hours, plan for two to three glasses per person. So for a party with 20 guests, 12 bottles would be sufficient. For a four-hour dinner party, plan four to five glasses per person. A four-hour dinner party for eight guests would require roughly eight bottles.

Should I rent glassware or buy?

If you’ll be entertaining more than 30, rental makes sense. Renting costs, on average, a little under $1 per glass but most importantly there’s no clean up or future storage issues. However, if you entertain large groups regularly, you may want to keep your eye out for end-of-season bargains on wine glasses in chain stores for a future glassware stash.

How do I get red wine stains out of my carpet?

I always keep a bottle of Wine Away on hand for stains. It’s the best remover I’ve found for carpet and upholstery and costs about $9 a bottle. If you don’t have a wine-specific cleaner, as a last resort, use a paper towel to blot up as much of the stain as possible, saturate the spot with cold water and blot again. Then, mix a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water and put over spot. Let the paste dry, then vacuum.

How much should I spend per bottle for entertaining?

There’s no one-size-fits all answer but if it’s a large cocktail party, choose a wine that sells from $8 to $12. Retailers often offer Christmas specials and added discount incentives on quality wines making it easy for great values. For a dinner party, best advice is spending as much as you can afford. If you slaved in the kitchen preparing perfect foods, sauces and desserts, showcase the best wine your budget will allow.