This is an interesting question of etiquette. On balance, I think probably not. A bottle of wine is like a bunch of flowers, a box of chocolates, a book or any other gift. It is a thank you for the invitation and a present for you, the host. Hopefully you have already chosen and bought some very nice wines to accompany the food you are going to eat. Opening up that bottle might suggest otherwise.
If you do want to bring wine (and it is an easy option) match it to the occasion. For a big party bring an inexpensive, but not too inexpensive, bottle of easy-drinking wine. For a smaller, more intimate gathering, something a little bit better is called for. Either way, drop into a good local wine shop, ask for advice, and maybe a little story to accompany it.
If you have been on holiday in Portugal or Greece recently, chose a wine that you might have tried over there. Both countries are very on trend right now too so this would be a smart choice. Lesser known names are always more interesting than the classics, so less Rioja Reserva or Prosecco and more red wines from Hungary, Austria or Germany, or a chenin blanc from South Africa. Having said that, a statement bottle of something fizzy, preferably Champagne, will always be gratefully received.
[ Two solid Italian wines for less than €9Opens in new window ]
I don’t usually serve a wine that someone has brought unless I think the guest really wants to share a special bottle with me. Or, of course, if we run out of wine. I do remember one guest of mine suggesting that we open the bottle of whisky he had brought along. It made for a much longer evening than anticipated.
The future of wine is flatpack and boxed, but will it be drinkable?
Food & Drink Quiz: Beaujolais Nouveau is made primarily from which grape?
Two German wines that are a little bit more expensive, but certainly worth it
The Irish wine makers: ‘It is a miracle. Last year we got the same volume as growers in the north of Italy’
Many of my friends seem intimidated about buying wine for me, and so opt for an alternative gift assuming I have plenty of wine. In which case we often finish the evening eating too many delicious chocolates. However, there is no such thing as too much wine if you are a wine lover. I am always happy to receive a bottle however modest, preferably something a little bit different. Some of the best bottles I have enjoyed over the last year or two have been gifts given by dinner guests, enjoyed a few weeks later.
