How Much Wine to Serve

Cocktail Events
or Parties 		Plan on ½ bottle of wine/person per two-hour period. However, if your event begins before 5 pm, or if you also plan on serving liquor or beer, plan on ½ bottle/person per three-hour period.
Self-Service
for Guests 		If guests will be serving themselves, plan for 10% more wine.

Dinner Events
or Parties
Each 750ml bottle of wine provides 5 servings at 5 oz. each or 6 servings at 4 oz. each. If you are pairing wine with a meal, plan 1-1.5 serving(s) per course/person. To calculate the number of bottles you require of each wine:
  • Multiply # people you are serving by # glasses (on average) each will drink. Then divide by 5 for a 5-oz. pour (6 if you prefer a 4-oz. pour)

Selecting Glassware

Cocktail Events
or Parties 		1.5 glasses per person for 3 hours or less, 2 glasses per person for longer.

Self-Service
for Guests
Offer a red, white and sparkling (if appropriate) glass for your guests.

Dinner Events
or Parties
For larger gatherings, rent glassware from a local party rentals shop. If you only have one or two wine glass size(s), arrange each place setting with separate red and white wine glasses, plus water.

For fine wine tastings, there is varietal-specific glassware available that will enhance each wine's specific character. Riedel is an excellent choice. (See our Wine & Food Pairing Chart for examples of each varietal.)


Choosing Which Wines to Serve

Cocktail Events
or Parties 		If you expect the weather to be warm and your event is outside, or if your event is before 5 p.m., plan on 70% white wine, 30% red wine. Otherwise, plan to serve 40% white wine and 60% red wine.

White Wine Choices:
  • In general, Chardonnay is extremely popular, and also very versatile.
  • On a warm day, you may also choose to serve a crisp, refreshing Sauvignon Blanc.
  • If you are serving spicy foods, Riesling is a perfect pairing.
  • Fruity desserts and sweet appetizers such as Foie Gras pair wonderfully with white dessert wines such as our Late Harvest Chardonnay.
Red Wine Choices:
  • Pinot Noir is the most versatile and an excellent red wine choice for warmer weather.
  • Merlot is a popular crowd pleaser because of its chocolate flavors and soft finish.
  • Zinfandel offers jammy fruit flavors that pair well with grilled foods.
  • Full-bodied wines like Meritage, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah are recommended for pairing with beef, lamb, other hearty main courses and dark chocolate desserts.
Dinner Events
or Parties 		Pair the wine varietal with each course. See our pairing guidelines and Wine & Food Pairing Chart to get detailed food pairing information, or view detailed varietal descriptions.