The holiday season is finally upon us, and year-end parties seem to pop up at every corner.
If you’ve been tapped as this year’s host of the group, why not take the opportunity to entertain your guests with sophisticated wines? Aside from the classic potlucks or turkey feasts, wine parties may unlock new experiences and flavors you might not have tried before. As the year comes to a close, it’s the perfect moment to give thanks and celebrate with those who mean the most to you—while sipping on a glass of wine together.
Whether you like a cozy, intimate evening or a lively celebration, we’re here to give you a few entertaining tips that may help you plan your holiday party.
Choosing the right wine
Planning a party can be pretty overwhelming, especially when you're in charge of selecting the wines. To make it easier, start by choosing a theme or a focus that offers a range of flavors to suit your guests' preferences.
- For a light, casual, and refreshing vibe, go for white wines like Montes Alpha Chardonnay, with a smooth and fresh notes of yoghurt and dulce de leche.
- If red wines are more your style, consider the sophisticated Dolce & Gabanna e Donnafugata Tancredi—a full-bodied wine with rich fruity notes and a smooth, elegant finish.
- If you want to make it a little extra, sparkling wine options like Italy’s Piccini Prosecco to can add a sparkling touch of celebration.
While having a focus is helpful, feel free to be adventurous and explore new wines—after all, discovering new favorites can be part of the fun!
Wine math: How many bottles do you need?
How much wine is enough for your holiday party? If we do a little “wine math,” a standard 750ml bottle of wine typically yields about four to five glasses, which is enough for two to four people. For larger groups, consider a magnum bottle which is 1.5 liters, or roughly two standard bottles, will serve four to five guests.
- 750ml standard bottles like the crisp Cap Royal Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc is a perfect size for small groups.
- Consider the Dolce & Gabanna e Donnafugata Isolano Etna Bianco magnum bottle, if you're serving four to five number of guests.
- If you like hosting for bigger number of guest, go big with an imperial bottle—a 6-liter bottle, equivalent to eight standard bottles, making it ideal for serving 10 or more guests.
There’s a universal rule to budget about half a bottle of wine per person for dinner. However, since it's the holiday season, it's always safer to have a little extra on hand—you might want to plan for one bottle per person. But there’s no perfect formula for wine math. The key is to enjoy the moment, sip by sip, and share the joy of the holidays with your loved ones.
Setting up the bar
When it comes to hosting, knowing the basics goes a long way (though don’t stress, you don’t need to go overboard). Start with the essentials—make sure you have enough wine glasses for your guests. While it’s perfectly fine to use standard wine glasses, having specific glasses for different types of wine (like red, white, or sparkling) can elevate the experience and earn you extra host points.
- For red wines and rosés like Dolce & Gabanna e Donnafugata Rosa Sicilia, use glasses with wider bowl for better aeration and aroma.
- Opt for long-stemmed glasses if you like to serve champagnes and sparkling wines to preserve the bubbles.
- To maintain it crispness, choose glasses with smaller bowls for white wines like Montes Limited Selection Sauvignon Blanc.
- You can also use versatile options like stemless wine glass and balloon glasses, that works well with a variety of wines.
Don’t forget the corkscrew or wine key for opening your bottles with ease and convenience.
Food pairing options
Pairing appetizers and dishes with wine enhances the overall experience, allowing flavors to complement and elevate one another. If your party starts after dinner, keep the spread simple but satisfying with finger foods and small plates that encourage mingling and tasting the wines.
- Classic pairings include a cheese platter, perfect with white wines like Joseph Masach’s Carolina Cava.
- Charcuterie boards with assorted cured meats like prosciutto and salami pair well with cabernet sauvignon wine.
- Fruits such as strawberries go beautifully with Spain’s Perelada Stars Touch of Rosé Cava Brut, while prosecco is versatile and goes well with variety of fruits.
- Nuts like almonds and hazelnuts complement chardonnay, while walnuts are a great match with red wines.
- For indulgent desserts, fortified wines like port or sherry are an absolute must.
- If you want to serve substantial bites, consider small plates like mini quiches, and stuffed mushrooms, or try the Joel’s Place Joyful Holiday Confections: Savory Bites—a gourmet box with a selection of exquisite pastries that offers a blend of rich flavors and festive elegance perfect for holiday celebrations.
- You can also check out the Special Orders at Joel's Place or browse our Christmas Festive fillers for your holiday gatherings.
To make the spread even more inviting, arrange the food on attractive platters so guests can easily mingle and enjoy.
Let the good times flow
During the holiday season where gatherings are left and right, it’s essential to make your gathering stand out. Make your holiday party fun and exciting by engaging your guests in fun activities!
Try hosting classic games like a quiz night, trivia, or even a few rounds of board games to get everyone engaged before you exchange gifts. You can add a playful twist by pairing your party games with wine or offer prizes like Joel's Place gift cards. If everyone's feeling a little creative, consider a Sip & Paint activity, where you can express your inner painters while sipping into a good bottle of wine.- Make your board games more fun with Dolce & Gabbana e Donnafugata’s City Bag Red Wine Pack. This stylish set, packaged in a vintage-inspired bag, includes Floramundi Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG—a red wine with a vibrant fruity aroma and a smooth, fresh finish and Bell’Assai, a wine with delicate floral notes and a fruit-forward profile, perfect for sipping while playing games.
- The beautifully and artistically packaged Dolce & Gabbana e Donnafugata Artist Chest Collection, matches well with your Sip & Paint activity. It includes a wooden case that transforms into a convenient table easel and paint box. Not only does this wine collection complement your creative holiday activity, it also makes a fantastic holiday gift for wine lovers or collectors, adding a touch of elegance and fun to their collection.
Great wines, good food, thoughtful gifts, lovely company, and the spirit of the holidays—these ingredients create an unforgettable year-end party where everyone feels welcomed and engaged. It’s the laughter, the clinking of glasses, and the warmth of good conversation that linger long after the last bottle is poured.
