Which Wine to Choose for Each Type of Occasion?

When you’re invited to a party or organize one, don’t you know which wines to buy? Well, note that wine is a versatile drink and that there are perfect wines for each situation and, consequently, for each dish.

Continue reading this article and find out which wines match every occasion: a family celebration, a moment for two, a meeting with friends and more.

Wines in a Family Celebration
Family celebrations are always special. Thus, a wine originating from the family region or one related to the ancestors would be ideal.
Another option is to check the menu that’ll be served and choose a wine that harmonizes with the meal. In this case, a good option for this occasion would be a red wine such as Cabernet Sauvignon: this wine is versatile and good to harmonize with many variations of red meat and poultry dishes.

Wine in a Moment for Two
A romantic dinner without wine isn’t the same thing, for connoisseurs, of course! As this moment for two calls for good wine, don’t forget that it also has to please both parties.
If your partner isn’t a wine lover, it’s best to avoid strong and bodied flavours and opt for wines with a sweet taste: Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot Varietal, wines from Minho, Azores or Bairrada...
However, if the person appreciates good wine, you may choose it according to what will be served to harmonize the meal.
TIP: If the moment for two is a picnic on the beach/pool or in the countryside, wines such as light white wines, light red wines, light rosé wines and sparkling wines are perfect.

Wines in a Meeting with Friends
Wine has in its essence the symbolism of socialising with special people, especially in a friends’ reunion. So it’s essential that you know how to choose a wine for this special occasion.
Take into account the menu that will be served. The secret is to start the conviviality with a light and fruity wine and then serve a more acidic and bodied wine to combine with the main dishes.

Wines on Commemorative Dates
Wine is already part of the commemorative atmosphere, especially on dates such as Christmas and Easter.
Whether at Easter or Christmas, the chosen wine has to harmonise with the menu of this date. If the meal is fish or seafood, white, rosé and sparkling wines provide an ideal and delicious connection with the dish. If it is red meat or poultry, the appropriate wine would be red: its versatility allows it to combine with these dishes.

Wines for Gifts
Ideally, if you already know the person’s preferences, you should offer one that they like. If you don’t know their preferences, go for a light red or a medium bodied red.

Now that you know which wine to choose for each occasion, we leave you a shortlist with tips on how to harmonise the wine with the menu:

1. Light dishes combine with light wines;
2. Heavy dishes with fortified wines;
3. Sweet dishes with sweet wines;
4. Light dishes with white wine;
5. Dishes with dark ingredients with red wine;
6. The more necessary it is to chew the food, the more potent the wine should be;
7. Red meats with intense flavours with intense red wines;
8. White meats with delicate flavours with light whites;
9. White meats with structure with medium reds;
10. Dishes rich in spices with aromatic wines.

You will never again have doubts about which wine to choose!
Wine&Cheese