To ensure your gathering is both elegant and enjoyable, expert advice can make all the difference.
Cooler months are approaching, but that doesn’t mean social gatherings are slowing down. If anything, the holiday season will be here before you know it, and the social calendar will be full.
Planning a memorable event can be excessively stressful at times, but with a little guidance and research, you can put together a menu worth of a top chef or sommelier.
“Providing variety in wine styles is the best way to accommodate varying preferences at dinner parties,” says Alisha Blackwell-Calvert, an award-winning advanced sommelier and beverage director of the new Italian-American restaurant Madrina in St. Louis. “Focus on providing popular varieties to ensure there is something for everyone.”
Specifically, Blackwell-Calvert suggests pinot grigio and oaked chardonnay for whites then pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon for reds. “These varieties are on opposite ends of their respective spectrums,” she explains. “Having a sweeter option like moscato, brachetto or a kabinett-level riesling will guarantee a glass for every palate.”
Maribel Lieberman, owner of New York chocolate boutique MarieBelle and author of coffee table book MarieBelle Entertains, says dining should be an elevated and enjoyable experience.
“Pairing each course with a wine makes the meal even more memorable,” Lieberman tells Forbes. “I enjoy creating dishes and combining ingredients based on taste, texture and color. I believe that the right wine pairing makes or breaks the experience of the meal. While I pair each course with a wine that I think will bring out the flavor and experience of the dish, I think it’s important to have versatile and alternative offerings for those who may prefer something else.”
With that in mind, here are some some expert tips on how to create a wine-focused dinner party menu at home like a pro for three different types of festive gatherings.
An Outdoor Gathering
Wines that are enjoyed outside should be refreshing, notes Blackwell-Calvert. And serving temperature is important in wine service, so be cautious while enjoying wine outside in hot temperatures.
“When pairing wines for lighter, seasonal dishes for an outdoor gathering, I would recommend crisp whites like sauvignon blanc and riesling or reds from low-tannin varieties that can withstand a chill like those produced from gamay or pinot noir,” Blackwell-Calvert says. “Highly tannic, full-bodied wines like a powerful cabernet sauvignon may seem too bitter and boozy to compliment summer’s more delicate food offerings if served at hot outdoor temperatures.”
For Courtney Storer, culinary producer of the Emmy-winning series, The Bear, her approach to cooking focuses on using seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. Admittedly, she says, this works really well year-round in Los Angeles (as seen through a dinner party she recently worked on for Miraval Rosé, but stresses you can easily follow this advice from anywhere in the U.S. to prepare simple yet flavorful dishes that highlight the natural tastes and textures in the ingredients.
“Less is more. It’s a common French approach in cooking and in life,” Storer tells Forbes. Instead of a formal dinner, make a grazing style table with your favorite dishes. Create a laid-back tablescape that is elegant by not overthinking it. I like to use a few extra items I’m featuring on my menu as part of the table décor. Some extra fruit, vegetables and bread that are part of your meal will look great as décor in baskets or platters.”
A Fall/Winter Holiday Fête
Winter pairings can sometimes be tricky due to the season’s heavier comfort foods.
“To not overwhelm the palate with pairings, a well-made red or white that has a balance of acidity is crucial,” Blackwell-Calvert says. “Acid will prevent both the wine and the food from overloading your tastebuds. The chosen grape variety isn’t as important as the quality of the wine itself.”
In general, winter is the perfect season to enjoy bold reds, she notes.
“The jammy fruit and spice characters of these styles are great flavor accompaniments to hearty food,” Blackwell-Calvert says. “Look for wines made from montepulciano, primitivo, carmenere or petite sirah as outside the box choices that pair wonderfully with traditional holiday flavors.”
For creating a memorable wine dinner party experience, presentation plays a vital role. Take into account the type of glassware, plateware and silverware.
For a plated dinner, Blackwell-Calvert says, ensure that the next course’s wine is in the glass just before the food arrives. It will give the guests time to prime their palates for the next pairing. For a buffet-style event, make sure wine is easily accessible and easy to serve.
“My front-of-house experience made me a firm believer that wine is a major part of curating culinary experiences,” Storer notes. “I’ve always been more drawn to wines that help break the ice, bottles that tell a story and make people feel comfortable while still offering a sense of finesse.”
Pro tip: “For wine on ice in a self-service environment, leave a serviette or linen cloth at the ice station for guests to wipe bottles while handling and to help keep their hands dry,” Blackwell-Calvert says. “Details matter and supplying everything a guest may possibly need will add a ‘wow’ factor to the experience.”
Any Splurge-Worthy Occassion
There is a common misconception that bubbles are only for special occasions or holidays, like anniversaries or New Year’s Eve. But really, sparkling wine can be enjoyed year-round, regardless of date or the temperature outside. (That said, of course the temperature of the bottle should always be chilled.)
“A great wine doesn’t have to be a stuffy or overly expensive,” Storer notes.
“Sparkling wines enhance the flavor and experience of the dishes and the experience of the meal,” adds Lieberman. “My favorite sparkling wine is champagne blanc de blancs brut nature—an elegant, refined sparkling wine with a crisp, clean taste and delicate bubbles. This sophisticated wine pairs beautifully with extravagant dishes such as lobster and caviar. Additionally, it complements lighter dishes like scallops and oysters or salmon tartare.”
Alternatively, Lieberman continues, a sparkling shiraz or lambrusco can add an exciting twist to pasta and white meat dishes, creating a delightful contrast of flavors and textures.
All that said, sparkling wine—such as crémant made in France or sekt in Germany and Austria—should always be included when you want to celebrate a bit extra. Champagne is the most famous style, certainly, but sparkling wine is produced in a range of styles and sweetness levels.
“Bubbles are refreshing for the palate and an enjoyable drinking experience that awakens the senses and makes you smile,” Blackwell-Calvert says. “For truly special occasions, choose premium sparkling wine styles labeled brut or extra brut as the residual sugar levels are the most versatile with a wide range of food types—not too sweet nor astringently dry for most guests.”
