11 Top Wines that You Must Have for Parties

Posted by chadwick on October 18th, 2022

Serving the best wines at a party can be as exciting as serving favorite liquors. Wine is a great choice for entertaining because of its versatility. Adding salads and steaks to a good white wine should enhance its flavor.

What are the top wines you should include in your list? Sendgifts provides some great tips on choosing the right wine for your picnic or party in this article.

Sendgifts is an online liquor store in the US that caters to those who want affordable wines online as well as those who enjoy experimenting with new wines. By carefully evaluating flavors, our wine delivery service puts the customer first.

Top Wines for Parties

Whatever type of party you're planning, choosing the right wine is essential.

Here are some of our best wine collections:

1. Pinot Noir

A bold red fruit with earthy flavors pairs well with pork, steak, game, and poultry.

Pairing Tips: Allow this Pinot noir wine to breathe for at least 15 minutes before serving. Slowly unwind the wire cage over the bottle's neck to prevent oxidation. Due to its low tannin content, it is suitable for serving in a casual setting. Pinot Noir is perfect to accompany meats such as fish, chicken or duck, as well as mushrooms and soft cheeses.

2. Riesling

With its clean acidity and sweeter notes, this white wine pairs well with almost anything.

Pairing Tips: Unlike some wines, Riesling wine should not be decanted for hours before serving—it would ruin its delicate character. Instead, remove the cork and gently ease out the wire cage over the wine's neck. Give it 15 minutes to breathe at room temperature before serving. Pair with light appetizers like cheese or seafood.

3. Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon wine is high in acidity and pairs well with poultry, herb-roasted chicken, and pan-seared fish.

Pairing Tips: This is another wine that's best decanted, so remove the cork 15 minutes before serving. To prevent oxidation, gently remove the wire cage from the bottle's neck. To enjoy its crisp flavors, serve it slightly chilled.  

4. Merlot

Merlot wine has a soft tannins and complex aromas of berries, cherries, and spice. This makes it great pair with red meats like lamb or bison.

Pairing Tips: When you're ready to serve, unwind the wire cage slowly but firmly (to prevent oxidation) from the bottle's neck. Merlot pairs well with a variety of foods, including shellfish and vegetables.

5. Vouvray

The aromas of honeysuckle and green apple in this Vouvray wine are very pleasant and it is best served chilled with spicy food, such as Cajun-rubbed steaks or Chinese cuisine.

Pairing Tips: This wine needs to be chilled all the way down before serving. You can keep the bottle in an ice bucket for a few hours before drinking it to keep its crisp flavor.

6. Pinot Grigio

Pinot Grigio is an all-around white from the Pacific Northwest that's known for its nutty flavors and citrus notes.

Pairing Tips: Try light pastas and rice dishes with lots of herbs, fresh green salads and vegetables, chicken and turkey, and fish and seafood. Add a couple of slices of lemon and lime and several pieces of seasonal fruit like raspberries or blackberries.

7. Malbec

Most Malbec wines are smooth with jammy fruit flavor and savory notes of black cherry, pomegranate, plum, raspberry, and raisin. There are also hints of coffee, leather, tobacco, molasses, and black pepper.

Pairing Tips: You'll find Malbec a great match for steak, pork, and lamb, as well as fattier fish like salmon and poultry with dark meat. Game meat like bison, ostrich, and venison are also a safe bet. In addition to meat pairings, consider foods with richer sauces or more vibrant flavors.

8. Chardonnay

Chardonnay wine varies in flavor based on the climate in which it grows. Depending on how ripe the grapes get, the flavor ranges from citrus and green apple, to overripe peach and canned pineapple.

Pairing Tips: Pairing chardonnay with foods that are creamy, light, and simply seasoned are going to be the best way to compliment the wine. You’ll also want to avoid more acidic foods like tomatoes, as the acidity of the food will make the wine taste sour.

9. Cabernet Sauvignon

A beautifully crafted Cabernet Sauvignon, particularly smooth and fresh. Its seductive aromas of cherry and blackberry are followed by delicate plum and chocolate notes. A really well-balanced red wine, with refreshing acidity and a memorable finish.

Pairing Tips: Cabernet Sauvignon is best with nearly all red meat, including prime rib, New York strip and filet mignon. Also try lamb or pepper- crusted ahi tuna. The wine is best enjoyed with food and is great in sauces or reductions.

10. Zinfandel

With aromas of dark fruits and peppermint, this crowd-pleasing red wine is perfect for casual get-togethers.

Pairing Tips: Zinfandel wine pairs beautifully with barbeque, spicy foods, smoked cheeses and tangy flavors, but is also easy to enjoy on its own.

11. Barbera d’Alba

Barbera wine has notes of strawberry and sour cherry: flavors synonymous with light-bodied wines. Light tannin and high acidity make it taste 'Juicy'. Most of the Barbera you'll find is from Italy which leans towards more herbaceous flavors.

Pairing Tips: Given the high acidity, fatty foods work beautifully with Barbera wine. Think red meats and even salmon is a gorgeous pairing. Also because of the acidity, barbera wine pairs well with pasta with a simple pasta in red sauce or a marinara.

Conclusion

Wine is the key to any party. Order wine online to stock up on all the top wines from Sendgifts that your guests won't bring, so you can surprise them with a new drink they haven't tried before. You'll have tons of fun at your next get-together!

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