You’ve been invited over for dinner, and the expectation is that you bring over a bottle of wine. For many people, this can be a daunting task, but if you follow our tips, you’ll always be invited back.
When bringing wine to a dinner party, the first thing you must understand is that the wine should always be seen as a gift you’re giving to the host. Wine is a thank you for hosting you, so while the bottle you bring will most likely be opened while you’re over, one should never go in with that expectation. Never put pressure on your host to open the wine you’ve brought, especially if they choose to open a bottle of their own instead.
When bringing over wine, we recommend spending between $10-$20 on each bottle. Where you choose to fall on this range should depend on the occasion and how much you perceive the host is spending to host you. For example, if the meal is extravagant and you recognize your host is going above and beyond in terms of what they are preparing, your bottle should fall closer to $20 and even above, whereas if you’re being hosted for takeout and a movie night, a bottle closer to $10 is very respectable.
The question of whether to bring more than one bottle to a host’s home depends on whether it is just you, or you and a partner, and whether you and the host tend to drink an average amount or an above average amount of wine.
Unless you and the host are big consumers, if you’re coming over as a single person, bringing one bottle along is the appropriate move. If, however, you and your host can polish off two bottles no problem, it always looks good if you’re the one that brings the second bottle. You’ll get major brownie points.
When heading over to your host’s home with a partner, you should always bring at least two bottles. However, if you and your partner are not big drinkers, it is more than ok to bring one bottle of wine, and then an additional gesture such as a bouquet of flowers, or something sweet for dessert.
If you follow these guidelines, you’ll always come away looking like a thoughtful and appreciative guest that your host will want to invite back over and over again. And if you’re planning on hosting dinner, check out these awesome beef recipes that will please your guests without breaking the bank.
