Bringing a bottle of wine to a dinner party as a gift to the host is a common occurrence. Make it a memorable one by bringing a bottle that reflects the taste of the host, as well as the style of the party. Make it a bottle that the guests will enjoy, and you’ve got a winner.

Before going to the store and staring blankly at the rows of wine before you, which is not recommended, try to get an idea of the menu that will be offered at the party beforehand. If a full menu cannot be disclosed, an assumption based on time of the party, mood, number of people, and occasion may assist you in at least selecting a type of wine before hitting the store.

There are two simple rules to remember when pairing wine with food. Keep light bodied wines paired with lighter foods, such as small appetizers. This way, neither the wine nor the crudités will overpower the other. Reserve the red, more fuller bodied wines for heavier dishes, such as Filet Mignon. So if the dinner party you are attending is going to be a party of various appetizers or small dishes, a white wine, perhaps a sweeter wine like a Riesling, is a sure bet.

Should you be unable to procure a menu from the host, there are other viable alternatives to selecting an appropriate wine. Price is mitigating factor in these considerations. How well you know the host, how much you have to spend, and the type of wine you desire to purchase will all play a role here. Some wine choices will be much more expensive than others, so keep this in mind if you want to spend less than twenty dollars.

There are some basic, estimated price ranges in regards to the varieties of wine that you can follow. A basic chardonnay can run between ten and twenty dollars. The standard Kendall Jackson chardonnay, common at most middle class restaurants and affairs will run about fourteen dollars per bottle, and usually pleases anyone. A traditional red choice is the Cabernet, which although a bit more costly at twenty dollars and higher, is a common dinner wine. Some choices that stay around ten dollars and that can be very flavorful are the Chateau St. Michelle Riesling and the Ravenswood Zinfandel. At nine dollars per bottle, the Chateau St. Michelle is a delightful, light wine that is perfect for cocktail hour and hor dourves. The Ravenswood Red Zinfandel, which will cost around twelve dollars, is a heavier bodied red that has a wonderful bouquet. These are both excellent choices at an affordable price. For that special occasion that simply requires something a bit more prestigious, there is the Cakebread Chardonnay or the Estancia Meritage. The Cakebread can be found shelved at most wine shops, and is a wonderful chardonnay, served in fine dining restaurants throughout the country. The Meritage is a blend of grapes from various regions that is sure to satisfy any palate. This wine is often hit or miss at your local retailer, but can easily be ordered. Both wines are priced around the fifty dollar range.

Also keep in mind who will be consuming the wine. Is your intention to supply the host with a bottle that can be consumed by all the guests? Most party hosts supply a medium priced wine at best for the guests. Drinking hundred dollar bottles of wine at a party for nearly thirty people is not usually appropriate. Keep this wine to around twenty dollars or less. Should you be choosing a selection that the host can savor for later or perhaps cellar, than shelling out a sum more cash may be warranted.

After you have conquered the price question, there is the preferred taste of the host. If this person is an aficionado of the wine industry, this may make your task a bit more difficult. If the host is a personal friend or relative, your decision should be quite easy, as you may know their personal preference. If they are more of an acquaintance, you will have to go by what you know. If you have had social outings with the host before, what have they ordered to drink? If it was wine, try to remember the type, if not the winery. If they are an avid wine collector, do not worry about disappointing them with a mediocre selection. Most party hosts should be well aware that not everyone is as enthralled by wine as they are; nor can everyone afford to purchase expensive wines. Putting forth the thought and effort should be reward enough.