Holiday Party Quantities

Welcome to Vine to Wine this is your host Linda Moran. Shopping for a party? On today’s program we’ll discuss how much wine you might want to purchase for your upcoming holiday party.

Whether you are hosting an open house or a dinner party, determining how much wine to provide is a consideration.  First, let me say I would always recommend that when serving wine you provide food. I would also recommend that you have a selection of beverages for the designated driver and for those who would like to switch to something non-alcohol when they’re finished with wine. Now, if your party is casual and your guests will be milling around and serving themselves then the focus is on visiting and it really isn’t important to serve expensive wines. Serve at least one white wine that isn’t too dry, maybe a Riesling, another white that is very dry my favorite is a nice crisp Sauvignon Blanc. Look for a red wine that is smooth and approachable, perhaps Merlot or Syrah. When it comes to quantity, remember that in this situation there are about four glasses of wine in a bottle. You know best if your friends drink mostly red or white. So adjust you proportions accordingly. It never hurts to have a few extra bottles of each in case you guess wrong – after all it’s not a bad thing to have left over wine. If you’re having a dinner party - then serve smaller quantities of different wines with each course. This way you won’t drink too much and you can taste a broader selection of wines. Above all have fun! Enjoy your friends and enjoy your holiday party!  And thanks for joining me on today’s Vine to Wine.