It can be intimidating to bring wine to a dinner party if your host knows a crap-ton about vino. Grabbing a bottle of Merlot left over from your last shindig is clearly out of the question. However, we have three sure-fire tips for becoming the evening’s hero.
Since most oenophiles will have usually already slated wines to pair with dinner, we recommend bringing a bottle that can be drunk before or after the meal. Sparkling wine is our choice for a pre-meal thirst quencher, and some form of dessert wine works best for after.
Just don’t buy the most expensive bottle you can find. Fancy shit makes people uncomfortable. Unless you’re rolling in cash, any bottle over $50 is reserved for winning the lottery, getting engaged and/or attempting to get laid. There are plenty of awesome bottles out there for a reasonable price, so there is no need to waste your hard-earned cash.
Bubbles Before Dinner
Sparkling wines are a perfect way to set the tone for an evening. Just the sound of the popped cork makes people feel a bit more classy and sophisticated. Plus, the bubbles help the booze go straight to your dome, quickly lightening the mood.
When choosing a bottle, we suggest shelving the French Champagne, as most break our $50 budget. Instead, opt for an off-beat, small-production bubbly. Virtually every region on the planet, from Spain to New Mexico to South Africa, makes some form of sparkling wine. Not only are these wines more interesting and likely to spark a conversation, they are also less expensive.
The best way to pick a great sparkler is to get an on-the-spot expert recommendation. Truly singular wines are not widely distributed and can be difficult to track down by name. Pop into South End Formaggio [268 Shawmut Ave., South End, Boston. 617.350.6996. southendformaggio.com] for sparkling wine exclusives.
End it with a Sweetie
A bottle of dessert wine is a great way to win over a table of stuffed diners who are two-and-a-half sheets to the wind. Whether it’s a half bottle of decadent and rich Sauternes from France, or a sweet, fizzy pour of chocolate-rich Italian Brachetto, this is a great way to capture your party’s attention and make a splash on the evening.
While dessert wines sound exotic, they are surprisingly easy to come by. When running through Kenmore Square, drop into The Wine Gallery [516 Comm. Ave., Hotel Commonwealth, Kenmore Sq., Boston. 617.266.9300. wine-gallery.com] for some well-chosen and tasty bottles.
Guys’ Night Out
Should you be dealing with a steak-grilling, California Cabernet-swilling, football-loving guys’ guy, a bottle of sweet Moscato is completely unthinkable. Luckily, there is an easy, centuries-old solution to this conundrum.
A bottle of decent port and a couple of cigars will perk the interest of even the manliest man. Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) Port is less expensive than Vintage Port, but is comparable in quality when consumed young (for port, this is less than 50 years). Check out Marty’s Liquors [193 Harvard Ave., Allston. 617.782.3250] for one-stop port and stogie shopping.
