Ask the Wine Geek October 2008

Wine expert Charles Smothermon answers your questions.

Q. Any advice for figuring out how much wine to buy for a dinner party?

A. Here are a few hints and tips to get you in the ballpark.

• A standard 750-milliliter bottle yields four to five glasses. Planning for up to one bottle per guest for dinner parties with multiple courses isn’t off the mark.
• The more types of wine you serve, the less of each variety you’ll need. So, if you’re serving two different wines with dinner, figure one bottle for every two guests. For three different wines, figure one bottle for every three guests, and so on.
• Very large wine glasses can lead to excessive pours. Never fill glasses more than one-third full.
• Finally, offering plenty of water—along with encouragement to use a designated driver or taxi—is essential for every party featuring wine.

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