As a certified sommelier, when I entertain, I want to serve the perfect wines to match any meal, occasion, and person.
Whether I’m ordering takeout, making one of my trusty weeknight dishes, or preparing a fancy meal for guests, they expect something delicious in their glasses.
Here are a few of my go-to wines that never fail to please when I’m hosting.
Bubbly is not just for big celebrations or New Year’s Eve.
With many styles to choose from, there’s a sparkling wine for every occasion.
I’ve found that opening a bottle of bubbly for guests makes them feel special, which is what hosting is all about. With its high acidity, sparkling wine is also perfectly food-friendly.
Some of my favorite brands include Gloria Ferrer for a domestic sparkler from California, Alta Langa Bera Brut for an excellent Italian sparkling wine, and Champagne Telmont for when only true French Champagne will do.
My guests rarely turn down a refreshing white wine.
With its palate-cleansing nature, a refreshing white wine pretty much always hits the spot. If you’re eating something spicy (such as Indian, Mexican, or Thai), it will also cool your palate between each bite.
Grapes like sauvignon blanc, vermentino, and Chenin blanc are some of my favorites, and you can’t go wrong with Teneral Cellars vermentino, William Hill sauvignon blanc, or Hye Meadow Winery Chenin blanc.
Italian reds are a perfect food-friendly choice.
Nothing is cozier than a glass of Italian red wine.
The variety has come a long way from the ubiquitous Chianti served at neighborhood restaurants. Top-quality Italian reds come from every region of the country now, and it’s no surprise that Italian food is the perfect pairing.
A structured Brunello di Montalcino from Castello Banfi pairs well with grilled meats and hearty stews. Super Tuscan wines never let me down, especially if I’m serving a spectacular Italian feast.
I also enjoy the wines from Tenuta Argentiera in Bolgheri, and Madrevite wines from Umbria, which are made with indigenous Italian grapes.
Ending the night with something sweet is a nice treat.
I think it’s nice to end the night with a dessert wine when I entertain.
Port reigns supreme and can please many different palates.
Fonseca Bin 27 Reserve Ruby port is a classic red — perfect on its own or with any chocolate-based dessert. Taylor’s 10-Year-Old Tawny port is sweet but with a nice balance of nuttiness for those looking for more complexity.
For white-wine drinkers, Vin de Paille is also a great dessert wine. It’s made from raisins, which gives it a sweeter, more concentrated flavor. Alta Colina Winery and Tablas Creek Vineyard in California make two of my favorite bottles.
I like to have a nonalcoholic wine on hand.
Nonalcoholic wines are one of the fastest-growing varieties in the industry.
If my guests are abstaining — for any reason — I want to have something handy for them to enjoy, too.
Some of my favorites include Fre, which makes great still NA white wines like pinot grigio. Noughty makes a delicious NA sparkling wine that I think tastes as good as the real thing, and Kally sells bottles made from classic wine grapes, like chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon.
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