Bring a bottle that feels like a gift and goes with almost any food: an off-dry Riesling, a cru Beaujolais, or a dry sparkling wine, somewhere between $15 and $30. Skip big, oaky, high-alcohol reds and anything very sweet, since those are the styles people tend to love or dislike. And hand it over as something for the host to enjoy later, not as a bottle they have to open tonight.
This guide is for the guest walking into a shop on the way over. If you're the one hosting and choosing wine for the whole meal, our guide to the best wine for a dinner party covers that side.
What are the safest wines to bring as a guest?
These five styles share one thing. Each works with a wide range of food and is easy to enjoy whether or not the host knows much about wine.
Off-dry Riesling from Germany or the Finger Lakes, $15 to $25
A touch of sweetness balanced by bright acidity suits both the casual drinker and the wine lover, and it's one of the few wines that handles spicy or sweet-and-savory dishes. Dr. Loosen's "Dr. L" Riesling from the Mosel is widely stocked. If you're unsure how sweet a bottle will be, see Riesling vs Moscato.
Cru Beaujolais (Morgon, Fleurie or Brouilly), $18 to $30
It's a red for people who say they don't like red, because it's juicy and low in tannin, and the village name on the label makes it look more considered than its price. Georges Duboeuf bottles several of these villages and is easy to find in the US.
Dry sparkling wine (Crémant or American brut), $15 to $25
Bubbles feel like a gift even when they cost less than a still bottle, and they work before dinner, with salty appetizers, or with dessert. Gruet Brut from New Mexico is made the same way as Champagne and is widely distributed in the US. Look for "Brut" on the label if you want it dry.
Albariño from Rías Baixas in Spain, $15 to $25
It's crisp and lightly salty, easy for people who normally drink Pinot Grigio, and still interesting enough for someone who knows wine. Martín Códax is the Albariño you'll see most often in US stores.
Côtes du Rhône red, $12 to $20
It's a Grenache-based blend that's medium-bodied, a little spicy and easy with roast chicken, pasta or anything off the grill. E. Guigal's Côtes du Rhône is easy to find in most US wine shops.
If they like X, try Y
You often know a little more than you think. One clue from a past dinner or a glance at their wine rack is enough to narrow it down.
- If they drink big Cabernet or Malbec, bring a Rioja Crianza or a Zinfandel. Both have generous fruit and some spice without repeating what they already buy.
- If they drink Pinot Grigio, bring the Albariño above or a Vermentino. The two are close cousins, each crisp and light with a bit more flavor.
- If they drink buttery Chardonnay, try a Mâcon-Villages from Burgundy. It's the same grape with much less oak.
- If they like sweet wine or Moscato, bring an off-dry Riesling or a Moscato d'Asti. Both are sweet enough to please and fresh enough not to cloy.
- If they're the wine person in their circle, pick something they're unlikely to have, like a Grüner Veltliner from Austria or a Riesling from the Finger Lakes. The fun is in the discovery, not the price.
What should I say when I hand it over?
Something like "this is for you to enjoy whenever" works well. It frees the host from changing the wine they've already planned, and if they want to open yours that night, they will.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I bring red or white wine to a dinner party?
If you don't know the menu, bring the one that's hardest to get wrong with food: a light red like cru Beaujolais or a white with good acidity like Riesling. If you'd rather not choose at all, dry sparkling wine works with nearly anything.
Should I bring the wine chilled?
Chill white, rosé and sparkling wine before you leave, in case the host wants to pour it right away. Reds can travel at room temperature. A chilled bottle also signals that you're happy for it to be opened, without having to say so.
How much should I spend on a bottle for a dinner party?
Somewhere between $15 and $30 is the usual range for a casual or friendly dinner. Spending more doesn't make the gesture land better, and a well-chosen $18 bottle reads as more thoughtful than an expensive one picked at random.
Is it rude to bring wine if the host didn't ask for any?
No, a bottle is a standard thank-you for being invited, whether or not wine is on the menu. If you know the host doesn't drink, bring something else, like good chocolate, flowers or a nice olive oil.
What wine should I avoid bringing?
Avoid very oaky or high-alcohol reds, very sweet dessert wines and anything with a novelty label. Those styles split a room, and a bottle that's hard to pair or hard to like is more likely to sit unopened.
