Shine Brighter Together - A guide to the lost art of the holiday dinner party.
When is the last time you hosted a dinner party? If you can’t remember or the answer is never, we’re here to tell you that it’s time to put your hosting hat back on. If you need convincing, we have three words for you—wine, food, and friends. A dinner party isn’t just your normal evening meal dressed up, it’s about creating connections, finding inspiration, and making memories. And of course, sharing and savoring your favorite Sterling wines. So, whether you’re a dinner party newbie or a pro out of practice, we’ve broken down the three elements of a successful dinner party for you to take and make your own.
The Wine
At Sterling, our winemaking ethos is as much about the power of a great bottle to bring people together as it is about the chemistry of the wine and vines. When choosing wines for the evening, think about how your guests will experience each glass. As guests come through the door, have a light white or rose like our Carneros Rosé or Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc to splash them with. Both are delicious ways to start the evening and if guests don’t know each other, offer them something in common to talk about. To choose wines to serve with dinner, think about the general theme of your menu and the flavor profiles of the dishes you’ll be serving. If you’re having a traditional holiday dinner with a roast and potatoes etc., keep it classic with a bold Cabernet Sauvignon like our Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. If you’re taking a more experimental route and surprising your guests with new flavors, make sure the wines mirror what’s happening on the table. We’d recommend having two different varietals in rotation to offer guests some choice. You could do a red and a white or a lighter red like our Reserve Pinot Noir and a Cabernet Sauvignon.
The Vibe
Channel your inner restaurateur to create the perfect ambiance. Start with the music—a great playlist can go a long way to creating the environment you want. Consider starting with lower, slower songs and building to higher energy beats as the night goes on. People’s energy will naturally go down throughout an evening but you can use music to keep things upbeat. Next, consider how you’ll facilitate conversations and connections between your guests. If it’s a group that doesn’t know each other well, create an intimate space so there is no choice but to talk. If you’re worried, get a deck of conversation cards and have them out on the table for people to pick up if they need them. Lastly, think through how you want the evening to flow. Will you have a standing appetizer with your first wine before seating everyone at the table? How many courses will you have? If you’re doing dessert, consider serving it in the living room or kitchen to get people out of their seats and mingling more. Most importantly, don’t sweat it if everything doesn’t feel perfect. The evening is yours to enjoy and your guests will have fun if you’re having fun.
The Menu
Everyone’s favorite part of the dinner party—the food. Crafting a menu can seem overwhelming but we have a few tips to make it more manageable. First, choose a theme. Do you want to showcase your classic family recipes? Focus on a specific culture? Use only local, in-season ingredients? Choosing a general focus will help you narrow down the range of possibilities. Second, think about how much time you have. If you don’t have hours to spend chopping and basting, focus on dishes you can make ahead or easily put together the day of. Also, there is absolutely nothing wrong with using some store-bought items or asking for help from a family member or friend. You could even enlist your guests to help prep some of the meal and make it a more interactive experience. Personal pizzas, anyone? Don’t forget to poll your guest on dietary restrictions well in advance so you can accommodate any special needs in your menu.
