The perfect dinner party has a number of key elements that set the tone and ambiance of the evening. One of these key parts includes your selection of wines. Reds, whites, and rosés each have unique flavors that pair well with a variety of dishes. Selecting the perfect wine for each course enhances dining, sparks conversations, and brings out the flavors in every dish.
If you’re unfamiliar with wine pairing, don’t worry. This guide shares six great wines to serve at your next dinner party and what dishes to pair them with.
White Wines for Appetizers and Salads
The opening of any dinner party often features lighter fare, such as appetizers and salads. This is where white wines truly shine, offering a crisp and refreshing complement that readies the palate.
Light seafood dishes, for instance, are complemented well by white wines that deliver subtle acidity, enhancing the delicate flavors of the fish. For vegetable-based appetizers and fresh salads, look for whites that provide a floral or citrus note to balance the earthy tastes. Additionally, white wines with a hint of sweetness or aromatic intensity can be a great counter to the spiciness often found in some Asian appetizers, providing a pleasing contrast.
Fortunately, there are three popular types of white wine that are particularly well-suited for pairing with the beginning courses of a meal. Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are two popular options, with both offering a wide range of flavors and styles to complement different foods.
Chardonnay
Recognized as the “winemaker’s grape,” Chardonnay comes in various styles — from oaked to unoaked, each with distinct traits that pair well with different cuisines. From the rich, buttery vintages of California to the sharper, more mineral-driven offerings from France, the diverse profiles of Chardonnay — with its signature buttery and oaky notes — complement creamy culinary creations.
Whether a rich, cheesy dip or an indulgent seafood bisque, Chardonnay’s depth makes it the perfect pairing, enhancing the meal’s complex flavors. Typically medium to full-bodied, Chardonnay is the go-to choice for those who savor bold, distinctive tastes.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is celebrated for its vibrant and zesty character, which makes it an outstanding choice for accompanying light salads and appetizers at any gathering.
The crisp acidity and distinct herbaceous notes of Sauvignon Blanc cut through the richness of dishes like bruschetta or ceviche, enhancing their flavors while cleansing the palate and setting the stage for the courses to follow. This type of wine is great for enhancing the natural flavors of seafood and green vegetables, adding a refreshing touch to every bite.
Moreover, Sauvignon Blanc is an excellent base for crafting spritzers. These drinks are perfect for adding a fun and casual element to your party. Whether you’re hosting a large family reunion or a formal networking event, integrating Sauvignon Blanc spritzers can provide a light, effervescent option that complements a sunny afternoon or an elegant evening.
Red Wines for Main Courses
Red wines are synonymous with dinner parties, adding depth and richness to the main course. They’re celebrated for their versatility and complexity, which can complement a broad spectrum of flavors and textures in various dishes.
Decanting is also an important part of serving red wine. This process involves pouring the wine into a glass vessel and allowing it to mix with oxygen, softening any harsh tannins and enhancing its bouquet. This allows you and your guests to appreciate the wine’s complexity fully.
When selecting red wines for your main courses, consider the intensity and specific flavors of the dishes served. Red wines vary widely in body, tannin structure, and flavor profiles, making certain types better suited for different culinary pairings.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir, a versatile wine, pairs well with the delicate flavors of grilled salmon, enhancing the fish’s natural taste. It’s also a great addition to dishes like mushroom risotto that offer more earthy tones. This wine creates a balance, highlighting the dish’s richness while offering a light-bodied character.
Pinot Noir is also a go-to wine option for meals that are trickier to pair with other wines. This wine, with its variety of flavors, pairs well with many dishes, including roasted root vegetables and duck entrees. Having this wine on hand is valuable for dinner parties with diverse guest preferences.
Merlot
Merlot stands out in the world of red wines for its smooth, velvety texture and inherent approachability. With its rich fruit flavors and soft tannins, Merlot pairs well with hearty dishes like beef stew or tender roasted lamb. It complements the savory tastes of the meal without overwhelming them.
The versatility of Merlot also makes it an exceptionally safe choice for gatherings where guests’ wine preferences might vary. It’s light, yet it carries enough body and depth to satisfy those who may favor more robust wines. This balance makes Merlot an excellent option for many dishes beyond just red meats, including pasta with rich sauces and grilled vegetables.
Rosé Wines for Dessert
Rosé wine is a type of wine that uses some color from grape skins but not enough to classify it as a red wine. While this wine can be made through blending techniques, it can also be made through saigné or skin contact methods.
These wines are known for bridging the flavor profiles of red and white varieties, creating a wide range of tastes that go great with sweet dishes. Characterized by their vibrant colors and wide range of flavor intensities, rosés can be light and crisp or rich and full, depending on the grape and production method.
One popular variety is Grenache rosé, known for its fruity and floral notes, which pairs exceptionally well with fruit-based desserts or creamy confections.
Grenache Rosé
Grenache rosé is a great pick for summer get-togethers. It’s light and refreshing, with red berry flavors — strawberries and raspberries — and floral notes. It suits lighter desserts like fruit tarts or sorbets. Its vibrant acidity and light body won’t overpower delicate pastries. Plus, its vibrant pink color adds elegance to any table setting.
This wine is all about balanced acidity and subtle complexity. Crafted from Grenache grapes, it’s got a bold flavor like summer fruits. This versatile wine is a hit for any summer dinner party or casual get-together.
Sweet Wines for After-Dinner Sipping
To cap off a wonderful meal, sweet wines provide a delightful conclusion, either as a companion to dessert or as a dessert in themselves. Sweet wines offer a diverse flavor palette, from floral and light to rich and complex, featuring notes of honeysuckle, citrus, and orchard fruits.
These wines are crafted using various techniques to enhance sugar levels and flavors. Methods include halting fermentation early, adding high-proof alcohol, and using grape concentrate. Other techniques involve drying grapes, frosty methods, and the use of Botrytis fungus. These intensify sweetness but also impart unique tastes and aromas, creating a distinct experience.
However, it’s important to serve these wines chilled. The cooler temp boosts their natural flavors and evens out the sweetness, making them refreshing instead of overly sweet.
Moscato
Moscato, cherished for its light and fruity flavors, is a versatile sweet wine that pairs exceptionally well with fresh fruit or light pastries. Its gentle sweetness and often bubbly quality make it a great way to end a meal, adding a bit of happiness and festivity. It goes well with many desserts, and its mild sweetness and friendly taste make it perfect for dinner parties, especially with guests with different preferences.
Produced primarily in Southern Italy from the aromatic Muscat grape, Moscato can vary from still and lightly frizzante to fully sparkling, providing options for every preference. Its aroma typically carries hints of orange blossom and honeysuckle, enhancing its fruity characteristics with subtle floral notes. This makes Moscato not just a wine but a sensory experience that uplifts and is comforting.
Keeping the above tasting notes and serving suggestions in mind, you can pick from a variety of wines to pair with any course of your dinner party.
