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The Sommelier's Tips

What wine to bring when you're invited ?

 

Every time, the same question arises: what wine to bring...

Is there a more timeless question than this? In France, it's customary to bring a good bottle of wine when invited to dinner or lunch. And in France, such invitations are frequent!

Here are a few tips to make sure you don't make a mistake:

What wine to bring for a family (or in-law) dinner?

Regardless of the occasion, the first question to ask is: what is the level of knowledge and curiosity of your host regarding wine?

Indeed, there are four main types of wine enthusiasts: the curious connoisseurs, the demanding connoisseurs, those who prefer a specific type of wine, and the “open to anything” drinkers.

Whether it's family or in-laws, choosing a wine can sometimes be almost political!

For curious connoisseurs or those open to anything, feel free to offer an original wine.

For demanding connoisseurs or those who prefer a specific type of wine, give a quality wine within the category they enjoy. Do they love only red Bordeaux wines? Don’t look any further!

What wine to bring for a special occasion?

A special occasion calls for a great wine.

Again, the first question will be the host's level of knowledge. You can offer a wide selection of wines to a curious person looking for a well-made wine.

Generally speaking, the great appellations will make an impression:

  • Champagne, of course, the king of festive tables;
  • Great Bordeaux wines, particularly from the Médoc;
  • Great Burgundy wines, such as Pommard 1er Cru in red or Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru in white.

What wine to bring to friends’ house?

When it comes to friends, if the wine is not a personal gift, we generally look for the famous “friends' wine.” Once again, whether your hosts are knowledgeable about wine will influence your choice, but to a lesser extent!

The ideal friends' wine is one that is ready to drink, relatively young, and offers good value for money. These criteria allow for exploration of various French wine regions and original wine types.

We’ve prepared a selection of wines to enjoy with friends to make your choice easier!

The latest trend includes natural wines or biodynamic wines, which often have unique labels.

If the occasion is festive, consider discovering Crémants from Burgundy, Alsace, or the Loire for an unmatched price/pleasure ratio!

What red wine to give as a gift?

Unlike other occasions, a gift wine often needs to have good aging potential. A gift wine is rarely opened immediately.

Therefore, your choice will mostly lean towards red wines, which are generally better suited for aging. If you wish to give a white wine, consider:

For red wines, those with the greatest aging potential are those with structure and high acidity. These include grand Bordeaux reds and great Burgundy reds.

But that’s not all, red wines from the Loire, Provence, Rhône Valley, and Languedoc Roussillon also promise good aging potential. We have prepared two selections to facilitate your choice:

  • Our selection of wines to give as gifts;
  • Our selection of wines for building a cellar.

When choosing a wine to accompany a meal, if you need to bring a good bottle, it is not impolite to ask what dish will be served. It will even be appreciated if you explain that this is to choose the right bottle, ensuring you don’t make a misstep.