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:

• Sauternes white wines;
• Alsace Rieslings;
• Sancerre white wines.

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.

FAQ - Wine to bring as a guest

What wine should you bring to a host you barely know?

Start by gauging their relationship with wine: curious connoisseur, demanding enthusiast, fan of one specific style, or simply open to anything. When in doubt, a well-made, easy-drinking bottle always pleases. Buying from an independent winemaker guarantees a genuine wine, far from supermarket labels.

What budget should you set for a wine to give?

It depends on the occasion and your bond with the hosts. For a dinner with friends, choose a young, ready-to-drink wine with good value; for a special occasion or a gift, move up to a recognised appellation. What matters most is the rightness of the choice, not just the price tag.

What red wine makes a good gift?

A gift wine is rarely opened right away, so choose a red with aging potential, structure and acidity. Great reds from Bordeaux and Burgundy are safe bets, but the Loire, Provence, the Rhône Valley and Languedoc-Roussillon also promise fine evolution over the years.

What wine should you bring for a special occasion?

A special occasion calls for a great wine. Champagne remains king of festive tables, followed by great Bordeaux, especially from the Médoc, and great Burgundies such as a red Pommard 1er Cru or a white Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru.

Is it rude to ask about the menu before choosing the wine?

Not at all. Asking which dish will be served is even appreciated if you explain it is to match the bottle well. That way you avoid any misstep and arrive with a wine that truly complements the meal.