What to Pour at a Dinner Party (Even When You Don’t Know What’s Cooking)
You’ve been invited to a dinner party. You’ve got your outfit sorted, your polite small talk practised — and then comes the real question: What bottle should you bring?
Dinner parties can be unpredictable. You may not know what’s being served, who’s drinking what, or whether you’ll be seated next to someone who collects Jura whites or someone who’s sworn off sulphites. But with a little know-how, you can arrive with a wine that’s flexible, food-friendly, and sure to get the table talking.
Here’s your guide to selecting a smart, all-rounder dinner party wine — even when the menu is a mystery.
Your Best Bet: A High-Acidity, Medium-Bodied Wine
Acidity is the dinner table’s secret weapon. It helps wine cut through rich dishes, complements tangy or umami flavours, and refreshes the palate between bites. Wines that sit in the medium-bodied, flavourful-but-balanced category tend to play well with a wide range of foods and people.
Top Picks for Red
1. Gamay (Beaujolais or Loire):
Fresh, juicy, and gently earthy — perfect slightly chilled. It can handle roast chicken, charcuterie, or a vegetarian main.
2. Pinot Noir:
Especially from cooler regions like Burgundy or New Zealand. A safe choice with a polished feel — and a reliable conversation starter.
3. Nebbiolo (lighter styles or Alpine expressions):
If the host is a wine lover, this shows you’ve brought something with character and structure — without going over the top.
Try: Gamay Alternative: Savigny-lès-Beaune Domaine Lucien Jacob 2021 — A Burgundy Pinot Noir with freshness, structure, and elegance — perfect for poultry, pork, or earthy vegetable mains.
Try: Nebbiolo- Inspired: ARPEPE Rosso di Valtellina 2020 — Mountain-grown Nebbiolo with lifted acidity and red fruit — food-friendly and graceful.
Top Picks for White
1. Dry Riesling:
Don’t be scared of a touch of residual sugar — it actually makes it wildly versatile. Great with spice, tangy dressings, or pork dishes.
2. Chenin Blanc:
From the Loire or South Africa, it’s textured yet zesty. It can go from goats’ cheese starters to herby roast chicken.
3. White Burgundy (or other elegant Chardonnay):
Crowd-pleasing and classic, but not boring. Go for something mineral and restrained, not buttery and bold.
Try: Mineral-Driven White: Serge Dagueneau & Filles, Pouilly Fumé 2022 — Crisp, flinty Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire — great with seafood, goat cheese, or veggie mains.
Try: Classic and Versatile: Philippe Bouzereau Bourgogne Chardonnay 2022 — Balanced, lightly textured white Burgundy with soft citrus and subtle oak.
Want to Impress? Bring a Bottle with a Story
Even if the wine isn’t a perfect match, a compelling backstory goes a long way. A wine from volcanic soils, a lesser-known region, or a female winemaker instantly sparks curiosity — and often earns more appreciation than a showy label.
Try: Douloufakis Dafnios Liatiko 2021 — A Cretan red made from a native grape with silky tannins and wild herbs — a talking point for adventurous guests.
Bonus Tip: Bring Two Bottles
One red, one white — or one still and one sparkling — gives your host flexibility and makes you look generous and prepared. Just make sure they’re wines you’d happily enjoy even if they don’t get opened (some hosts save special bottles for later).
Explore Our Dinner Party Favourites
At Raravina, we love curating wines that aren’t just delicious — they’re dependable performers when the table is full and the menu’s a mystery.
Explore our current favourites for dinner parties, seasonal hosting, or just a good old-fashioned get-together. We’ll make sure you never show up empty-handed (or underwhelmingly stocked).
Until next time, stay nosey.
