How to Choose the Perfect Wines for Your Event (Without Upsetting Anyone)

It is really difficult to find the perfect wine for a party or reception.

Your head just spins with all of the options. And if you’re a people pleaser? Forget it. You’ll spend weeks overanalyzing every guest’s potential preference. I’ve been there so many times. 

Personally, I think my own taste in wine is tantamount to genius the human mind has never before seen. However, I also love for people to feel comforted. There is nothing like being presented with a cool drink of your choice. You just feel so seen, like the host actually…cared!

Here is how to do just that for your guests: how to choose the perfect wines for events.

• Consider your guest list. We have to realize that there are 1) picky people, 2) people who aren’t picky but are loyal to their usual, and 3) people who love a trend. Rarely will you ever find someone that doesn’t care at all what they drink. 

• With that in mind, you should also anticipate any generational gaps in drinking preferences. What appeals to the younger crowd might be popular at the moment, but a fruity hard seltzer is not for everyone. That’s what is wonderful about wine. There are so many avenues to explore and always something for anyone willing to try it. 

• Sweet wines can be a gateway for wine novices or cocktail fans. A fresh Moscato d’Asti will convert a surprising amount of beer and cocktail drinkers to wine. It smells and tastes like flowers and peaches, but not in an overly cloying way. Just something to consider for your next gathering!

• Make sure the food doesn’t clash. This is less important for a cocktail hour or heavy  hors d'oeuvres situation and more important for a plated dinner. However, here are some general suggestions: 

  • White and sparkling are perfect for so many appetizers and the charcuterie boards absolutely blowing up your social feeds.

  • Desserts and spicy foods need sweet wine to avoid a dry wine tasting too harsh. 

  • Red meats really do pair deliciously with red wines. 

  • Wines with heavy oak, age, butter (malolactic conversion), or tannin can overpower lighter dishes and require more robustly flavored food

  • Pinot Noir tends to be great for holidays: cookouts, Thanksgiving, Christmas...you name it. This grape variety is versatile and, theoretically, lighter than many other red wines on the market today. I actually served an Oregon Pinot Noir at my own wedding reception.
    

• Choose crowd pleasers with some oomph. Your uncle is going to want a California Cab, and your cousin won’t try anything without Sauvignon Blanc on the label. It’s just the way of the world. The question is whether or not anyone else at your event is going to enjoy either of those wines? After you’ve considered the numbers, it’s time to talk crowd pleasers.
  

• A smooth red blend with medium everything and good balance doesn’t make anyone mad. I mean middle of the road in terms of fruitiness, acidity, body, and tannin. Where on earth would one find this gem? Probably Bordeaux or Tuscany. California has lots of these, but you really need to filter through a lot of cheap swill to get to the good stuff. If you need additional assistance with this, then bite that bullet and ask me for help: it’s what I do!

• Prosecco is often the answer! It is so ubiquitous and can transform a total introvert into a social butterfly. Great for aperitivo or happy hours, cocktails, toasts, and more, it is easier drinking than a Champagne style sparkling and smells straight-up pretty.

• White wine is truly the battleground. Sometimes I think people would forsake their family and leave their spouses over Chardonnay. So, don’t pick the divisive or controversial white. Go with a light and not-too-dry Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris if you’re really worried about offending someone’s sensibilities.

Now it is up to you to follow through. Quit procrastinating and worrying. Just pick the wine using these tips and be done with it. In the end, if people complain about the free wine you’re serving them, the problem is them and not you.

If you need help choosing where to buy and which particular bottles, I am here for you! Book a free consultation here on my site, or send me an email at info@winewithelise.com.