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1. Occasion, Occasion, Occasion
The event itself is a major factor in what products you should serve. For example, is it a daylong pool party, an afternoon summer barbeque or an evening cocktail party? You should have plenty of beer on hand for a pool party. A barbeque suggests a good selection of wine. An evening cocktail party is a great opportunity to serve sparkling wine and a signature cocktail.
?2. What’s On The Menu?
Knowing what you should serve to drink “usually” relies on what food you are serving. “Usually”, because we never recommend serving a wine you don’t like because it’s “supposed” to go with something. For example, Cabernet is great with steak, but a good Tempranillo will work as well. What goes with a hot dog? Just about anything you want!
3. Know Your Audience
This is an element that people often overlook. If you know what the people coming to your event like to drink, have that on hand. Never force people to drink “what they should” – give them what they want. You can always serve something new, hoping people will like it. That’s what makes a really special evening. But a back-up of someone’s favorite is mandatory.
4. How Much Should I Buy?
This can be tricky because it depends on all three of the factors above. We apply a baseline of one drink per hour per adult. If your event lasts 3 hours, that’s 3 drinks. Common sense applies. If your party is 8 hours, you would not assume 8 drinks per person. We calculate five 5 oz servings of wine for each 750ml size bottle and ten for a bigger 1.5L. You can adjust this based on whether you think your group will want a smaller or larger pour.
Lastly, if you want some help or suggestions, please stop by and see us at Village Wine & Spirits on 455 Main Street in Ridgefield, Connecticut. We’re always ready to help.
