What Wines to Bring to the Party for Every Type of Host

You’ve been invited to a party and have been tagged to bring the wine—our favorite type of invitation. Admit it: you want to be that guest who revels in handing off that bottle, seeing the look of glee on the host’s face and thinking to yourself, “Nailed it!”

No worries: we’ve got you covered.

The occasion and the setting may vary, but hosts don’t tend to change their stripes. We all know our friends and family (and ourselves), and everyone has her or his own unique style. Never fear: Penns Woods Winery to the rescue. Here’s an easy list to satisfy every type of host.

The Casual Host

Isn’t this our favorite host, really? She’s super-chill and you know you can come as you are because sometimes she only makes a passing effort to tidy up. The Casual Host invites you to kick back, relax, lose the shoes and put your feet up on the coffee table. Bring her our seasonal Mulled Wine with just the right winter spices from November to February. The rest of the year, your go-to is our refreshingly dry White Merlot with strawberry, peach and apricot flavors.

The Neurotic Host

The polar opposite of The Casual Host, this one makes Martha Stewart look like a slacker. He’s hit every detail, from the invitation (printed, not e-mailed), welcome beverage and butlered hors d’oeuvres right down to the tastefully themed tablescape. You’ll be dressing up for The Neurotic Host, so make sure he’s mind-blown with our Proprietor Reserve blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Its deep red color and notes of dark red fruit will surprise and delight.

The Wine Snob

This one “only” drinks California, French or Italian wines, and not always in that order. The Wine Snob thinks she’s had it all, but wait until you swing by with our Cabernet Franc Reserve. Its medium dark red hue has spectacular color intensity; the nose is full of toasted blackberry, dark cherry and herbal spice; and the taste brings red fruits and firm tannins. Touché!

The Wine Rookie

Be gentle with The Wine Rookie, but wow him just the same. He’s a bit nervous giving up his college-favorite gallon o’wine but is willing to experiment. Change his tastes forever and bring two different selections. The first is our Bancroft Moscato Rose NV, a sweet and sassy blend of Merlot and Moscato for smooth, easy-drinking tastes of white peach, strawberry and grapefruit. Then, show off a more dry profile with our Chambourcin and its pomegranate, black pepper and earthy sage flavors.

The Beer Lover

Hey, we like a good brew as much as the next wine lover, but we particularly like schooling our beer snob friends on wines they won’t be able to resist. Keep this quick list handy; these wines offer flavor profiles that are similar to the beers noted below:

• Wheat beer: offer our Chardonnay Reserve for its crisp green apple, nutmeg and hints of toasted nut.
• Kolsch: bring our Sauvignon Blanc with its green fruit, bright citrus and a touch of minerality.
• Stout: select our Bancroft Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s up to the test with big flavors like black cherry and earthy tannins.
• Pale ale: choose the mellow and inviting Bancroft Merlot—yes, a red! Many new to drinking wine fall in love with its hints of vanilla alongside silky black cherry flavors.
• Pilsner: try the Bancroft Riesling with its full mouthfeel and mild, sweet notes of ripe pear, jasmine and honey.
• Gose: pick our trendy Traminette for those into this current “it beer.” It’s a hybrid that’s part Gewürztraminer with its zesty lemon, subtle acidity and clean finish.

You’re now ready to be the hero of any party you attend. Oh and by the way, feel free to keep the source of your intel to yourself now that you’re an expert wine-to-host matchmaker. We won’t tell!

Penns Woods Winery is a family-run Pennsylvania winery. With more than 40 years of experience in the wine business, winemaker Gino Razzi and his daughter, Carley Mack, produce award-winning wines from Pennsylvania-grown grapes. Penns Woods wines can be found in restaurants throughout Philadelphia and its surrounding suburbs. Stop in to your local state store and pick from a limited selection of wines, or visit our tasting room for the full offering. The tasting room in Chadds Ford provides an all-around vineyard experience and hosts live music, food and wine pairings and other exciting events each weekend. Score Penns Woods Winery news in your inbox by signing up for our newsletter today!

--Nina Malone

Photography by Alexandra Whitney Photography.