How to Buy Wine for A Party: A Comprehensive Guide
Welcome to a step-by-step guide that will help you pick your wines and prepare them to be served during your upcoming parties. It does not matter whether you are an occasional wine drinker or you have been a devotee of the grape since you were 18. This comprehensive guide to buying wine for a party provides everything you need to know in order to enjoy wine with your guests, friends and family.
1. Know your guests
We all know that the first step to buying wine for a party is to know your guests. Who are they? What do they drink? Are they more into dry or sweet wines? When it comes to parties, there is no such thing as too much knowledge about your guests' preferences. The more you know about your friends, the better prepared you will be when choosing their favorite wine. If you have many people coming over, then it makes sense to buy more wine than if it were just a small gathering of family members or friends.
2. Setting a Budget
When you're planning a party, it's easy to get carried away with all the excitement. But while you can certainly go all-out and make the event as extravagant as possible, that doesn't necessarily mean it'll be a good experience for your guests. After all, no matter how much money you spend on food or decorations, if the wine is bad, your guests won't have very much fun.
So, think about what kind of party you're planning: are there going to be mostly casual friends and acquaintances? Or is this for an important occasion like a wedding? And then set a budget based on those factors; if it's going to be an intimate gathering of close friends, it may not be necessary to spend more than $10 per bottle on wine; but if it's an anniversary party or something similar, then you might want to invest in some high-end bottles that can really wow your guests.
3. Determining the Wine Types
To buy a wine for a party, you need to understand the different kinds of wine. There are three types of wine: red, white and rosé.
Red Wine
Red wines are usually served chilled or at room temperature, and they're often paired with meat dishes and hearty pasta sauces. If you're hosting a casual party where guests will be eating food like pizza or burgers, red wine is likely your best bet.
White Wine
White wines are typically served chilled or at room temperature, and they're often paired with seafood dishes like crab cakes and lobster rolls. If you're hosting a more formal event where guests will be eating more delicate dishes like shrimp cocktail or chicken piccata, white wine is probably appropriate!
Rosé Wine
Rosé wines are a bit different from red and white wines in that they don't have as much body—they're lighter in color and flavor than their counterparts, making them perfect for summertime gatherings where people are looking for something refreshing but not too heavy on their stomachs (which can be a problem with red wines). They're also often more affordable than other types of wines.
4. Pairing Wine with Food
Matching your wine selection with the menu can enhance the dining experience. Here are some pairing suggestions:
Appetizers
Appetizers are one of the easiest ways to pair wine. A good wine will complement the food without overpowering it, and the same goes for appetizers—the wine should enhance the flavor of the food without competing with it. If you're serving something like olives stuffed with cheese or shrimp cocktail, you'll want to stick with a Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio. If your guests are more adventurous, try an Albarino or a Grenache Blanc.
Main Course
For most people, main courses are the heart of any meal—and they're usually where we feel most comfortable when it comes to pairing wine with food. You can't go wrong if you pair a Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot with steak or pork chops; a Pinot Noir or Syrah goes nicely with chicken; and a Riesling is always a good choice for seafood (or even fish). The key here is balancing flavors: if the sauce is rich and creamy, choose an acidic red wine like Pinot Noir; if it's spicy and bold, go for an earthy Syrah instead. If you're pairing with fish, look for a wine that's light and crisp so it doesn't overpower the delicate flavor of the seafood.
Dessert
When it comes to dessert, there are two things you need to keep in mind: sweetness and texture. The flavor of a sweet dessert wine is usually much sweeter than your average wine, so you don't want to overpower it with an overly tannic red. Instead, go for something like a Moscato d'Asti or a White Zinfandel—both are delicious options that won't clash with the dessert. If you've chosen a cake with chocolate frosting or fruit filling (or both), opt for an off-dry white like Riesling or Gewürztraminer instead of another sweet wine.
5. Calculating the Quantity Estimate the number of bottles you'll need based on the number of guests and their drinking preferences. A general rule is one bottle for every two guests.
When planning, think about the crowd—are they casual sippers or wine lovers who might enjoy a few extra glasses? It’s always better to have a little more than run out mid-toast.
6. Now that you have a plan, it's time to shop for wine. Explore our online store and find the best deals and selections.
When shopping online, make sure to check the reviews of each wine before purchasing it. The folks who have tried it out before can provide valuable insight into what makes each one special (or not).
Once you've decided on a few wines, be sure to check the price per bottle—you want to be able to get as much as possible for your money!
Get Some Wine for Your Next Party
Parties are fun, which is why you might be hosting one soon. Perhaps you’re looking for something that would pair well with a delicious meal you’ve been working on in the kitchen. Or, maybe you’re just planning to have a few friends over for happy hour. Either way, you need to make sure you have enough wine on hand for your gathering. At The North Pole Company, we can offer a wide variety of wines to ensure that your next party gets off to a great start. Visit our website today to find out more.
