How to Host a Wine Pairing Dinner Party
20 Wine Pairing Suggestiongs for your next Dinner Party. This post is for informational purposes only. I was gifted product by Frog’s Leap, and paid for a post on instagram, but this post is not paid advertisement. I may earn a small commission on some of the affiliate links if you purchase products using those links.
Table of Contents (Click to Jump to Each Section)
In all my years of dinner parties, I have only ever been to two that have featured wine pairings, and I unfortunately was pregnant for both of them. The experience was so out of the ordinary, however, that I do distinctly remember that there were pairings even though I didn’t enjoy them. This September I hosted my first ever wine pairing party in partnership with a winery (Frog’s Leap in Napa Valley). They sent me two types of white and two types of red wines, and I researched endlessly to make sure I made foods that not only complemented the wine, but also tied together gastronomically and in a cohesive theme.Because I was being paid to create an entire menu, I worked extremely hard to figure out the perfect recipes. This resulted in me adapting quite a few to my tastes, and I was thrilled at how well everything turned out.
While researching, I was surprised at how little information there is out there and how similar the information was about wine pairings. “Could it really be that simple?” I thought to myself, and if a single successful night of wine pairings means anything, then I think possibly it can be that simple. Even more rare than general pairing information was information on creating a dinner party menu with complimentary wine pairings. Before experiencing this night, I would have not thought that absence of information too great of a loss, but now I know I have experienced how special and exciting it is to taste food intentionally paired with wines during a dinner party, so I absolutely must write about it here.
Before we dive in, I will also admit that my idea of a nice bottle of wine, tops out at $30 at the very most, and given the choice, I am more of a beer person. However, this night turned out so beautifully, I know that I will be pairing wines with my dinner parties in the future (along with a few other drink choices, because I also cannot resist a fun themed cocktail). All that to say, if you are a wine expert, then please feel free to provide feedback. I have provided information to the best of my abilities, but I don’t know what I don’t know, as they say.
Regardless, I believe the information below is enough for you to work with to get a really solid pairing menu put together. If you need extra help, then keep scrolling to see suggestions for wine pairings for appetizers, main course, and dessert.
Why plan wine pairings with your dinner party?
It is a unique way to experience a dinner party, and novelty makes experiences more memorable.
Wine pairings create an added element of intentionality to the evening, making it feel more special.
When paired properly, both the wine and the food tastes better and more complex when enjoyed together.
It creates something to look forward to throughout the evening, seeing which course will be someone’s favorite.
Gathering recipes and wines from a similar region deepens the cultural experience, and can transport you to another place.
Activities (ie: observing how the food tastes with the wine) are a good way to keep conversation going, and will give guests something to talk about.
Here’s how to create a menu with wine pairings:
Choose two to four wines to pair with Appetizers, Main, & Dessert.
Start with lighter wines (Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio) & progress to heavier wines throughout the evening (Cabernet Sauvignon, Oaked Chardonnay, Muscato). Stronger or heavier wines can overpower more delicate flavors, and overwhelm your palate, so you want to start with lighter wines for the lighter courses.
Pair whites with fresher, lighter food (fish & white meats, mellow cheeses, citrus fruits, vegetables, pasta). They have a more understated flavor profile, & will best complement more mellow or brighter foods.
Another general rule is that white wines pair best with lighter foods, while red wines pair best with darker colored foods. A good example of an exception to this rule would be scalloped potatoes, which would pair well with both white and red wines due to the richness of the dish.
Pair reds with rich, meaty, spicy, or dense food (steak, tomatoes, melty & sharp cheeses, chocolate, curry). Reds tend to have more body/flavor & do a great job cutting the fat, spice, & richness of dishes.
Pay attention to the flavor notes listed on the bottle, because a wine that has “Dark fruit and savory herbs” would definitely taste good with a meal that has blackberries & herbs.
Take inspiration from where the wine is grown. Often Spanish, Italian, or French wines will particularly well with cuisine from similar regions and adds an extra layer of authenticity to the evening.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to store leftover wine? Wine stoppers still allow a great deal of oxygen to stay in the bottle, which causes it to acidify. I recommend using a vacuum sealer which pumps most of the oxygen out of the bottle. You can buy the one that I use here.
How many different wines should I offer? I like to offer 2-4 options, and at least one each of red and white wine. People who tend to not like one or the other may be surprised at how much they like of the different varieties when paired well.
How do you know what wines to buy? Most wines have flavor notes on the label which will help you decipher which red will be best for a certain pairing. If a wine has notes of “herbs, vanilla, and dark berries” it will probably nicely complement an herby red meat dish or appetizer with dark berries.
Where is the best place to buy wine? This question might best be answered based on your personal preference, and if you prefer wine from a particular region. However, I find that I can find high quality wine at more affordable price points compared to the standard grocery store at Costco and Trader Joe’s. Trader Joe’s store labels sometimes provide suggestions of what to pair it with, which is really helpful. Costco will include flavor descriptions and wine ratings (wines >90 are what you should look for). If variety or a specific blend (it can be hard to find Sauvignon Blanc at Trader Joe’s, for instance) is a priority, then shopping at a place like Bevmo or Total Wine & More will have great options.
Should we wash out glasses in between wines? If you are switching from a red to a white, or vice versa, then it would probably be a good idea. But in general, if you are not mixing wines and sticking with white-white or red-red, I do not think that washing glasses should be a concern in a dinner party setting (they wouldn’t necessarily do this for you wine tasting either).
Do I need specific red or white wine glasses? Don’t tell the sommeliers, but I don’t think you do. We have what would be considered red wine glasses that I purchased from Home Goods a few year's back.
Now that you have the basics, here are a few recipes I compiled that you can use for your wine pairing menu, with wine pairing recommendations.
Appetizers
Try to start the evening off with lighter wines, and work your way to more complex and heavier wines for the main course.
Pear and Brie Cheese Salad Skewers from Walder Wellness would pair with a Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc.
Photo courtesy of Walder Wellness
2. Caramelized Onion Tart with Gorgonzola and Blue Cheese from Simply Recipes
Photo courtesy of Simply Recipes
3. Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms from Real Balanced
Photo courtesy of The Real Balanced
4. Spicy Artichoke Dip from Molly at Vanilla Bean Blog would pair with a Pinot Noir, Zinfandel
Photo courtesy of The Vanilla Bean Blog
5. Goat Cheese stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates with Rosemary from Half Baked Harvest would pair well with a Zinfandel, Red Blend, or Merlot
Photo courtesy of Half Baked Harvest
6. Herbed goat cheese and fig galette paired with Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, or a Red Blend
Main Course
The type of protein you serve as well as the level of spice, bitterness, and fruit you serve will help determine if you should choose red or white.
Gochujang short ribs with delicata squash with herbed artisan bread paired with a Cabernet, Zinfandel, or Sangiovese
2. Chicken Tikka Misala from Recipes Tin Eats over white rice paired with Zinfandel, Riesling, or a light Cabernet
Photo courtesy of Recipe Tin Eats
3. Orange Rosemary Roasted Chicken Thighs with rice or artisan bread
Photo courtesy of The Peach Kitchen
4. Chicken Cesar Salad paired with Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Riesling
Photo courtesy of Once Upon a Chef
5. Seared ahi served with coconut rice and spicy quick pickles paired with Riesling or Pinot Noir
Photo courtesy of Feasting at Home
6. Fish tacos served with Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc
Photo courtesy of Natasha's Kitchen
Dessert
There is actually quite a range of flavors in dessert wines. According to Wine Folly, they can be sparkling, lightly sweet, richly sweet, sweet red, and fortified. Wine Folly has an article that goes into each individual type in depth if you would like to read it.
Peaches and Cream (and Cardamom) Cake paired with chardonnay, moscato, or champagne
2. Dark chocolate truffle with candied spiced pecans paired with Cabernet
Photo courtesy of Sallys Baking Addiction
3. Blue cheese and dark chocolate paired with champagne. I know this combination is unusual, but trust me! It’s such an easy and fun dessert.
4. Rasperry and white chocolate cheesecake paired with Moscato
Photo courtesy of Sally's Baking Addiction
5. Apple pie paired with Moscato or a Tawny Port
Photo courtesy of the Brown Eyed Baker
6. Cara Cara Orange Tart paired with Moscato, Champagne, or Sweet Dessert Wine
Photo courtesy of Buttermilk by Sam
7. Banana Coconut and Honey Cream Tarts from Spoon Fork Bacon paired with Chardonnay, or Moscato
Photo courtesy of Spoon Fork Bacon
All of these options can be mixed and matched to get you well on your way to a wine pairing menu. If you have any questions or comments, drop them in the box below!
