Wine Dinner Ideas for Hosting a Simple, Rustic Dinner Party

Planning a wine dinner at home doesn't have to be complicated. With a few simple food pairings, a relaxed setup, and easy menu ideas, you can create a beautiful wine dinner your guests will remember.

Whether you're hosting a casual night with friends or a more styled dinner party, these wine dinner ideas will help you keep it simple, cozy, and delicious.

 

Easy Wine Dinner Menu Ideas

• Cheese board (brie, cheddar, goat cheese)
• Cured meats (salami, prosciutto)
• Crackers, toasted bread
• Fresh fruit (grapes, apples)
• Nuts and olives
• Baked brie
• See more of my easy appetizer recipes, comforting dinner recipes, and easy dessert recipes to round out your menu.

What Food Goes With Wine at a Dinner Party?

• Red wine → cheese, beef, chocolate
• White wine → chicken, seafood, fruit
• Sweet wine → desserts

Rustic Wine Dinner Party Setup Ideas

• kraft paper bags
• simple table
• styling outdoor setup

Serving all of those options on a cheese board, you can’t forget the accompaniments! Crackers, toasts, and breadsticks are the perfect bite-size crunch you need. Get creative, and display them in something other than the bags that they come in, or a bowl… and you’ve just made a fabulous display!
(I simply used brown paper bags, folded/rolled down) to give the table the “rustic,” feel that I was going for!)

Oh the place setting… I was ecstatic to see the looks on our guest’s faces as they walked on to our deck. They each had their own little personal “treat,” awaiting them. Simple little touches like this can make your guests instantly feel welcome in your home!

If you’re new around here, then you may not know that I have quite the “sweet-tooth,” so anytime that I can incorporate a little chocolate,  you can count on it. For an added “touch,” I created a party favor box for each guest, that contained dark chocolate-covered blueberries, that paired amazingly well with the 2014 Crowdsourced Cabernet! Red wine + Dark Chocolate = Happy, Happy Guests.

The overall place setting, and a glass of wine with dinner made this party a special one for the books!

One of our guests JUST had a baby, (only 3 sweet weeks ago), so she wouldn’t let me get a full photo of her, but she did agree to a “cheers,” to celebrate all of the amazing recent blessings, and to the release of the new wine. (Any reason to have a “cheers,” right!?)

Once dinner concluded, we moved to the front lawn and ended the evening with small chatter. My husband loves nothing more than relaxing with friends on the front porch, with a glass of wine and a cigar.

Me… well I like to visit on the front porch with a glass of wine too. There’s really no other way to end a busy day.