A practical dinner party wine pairing guide — what to serve with your starter, main, and dessert, how much to buy, and how to set up a drinks situation that runs itself.

Setting up a bar before guests arrive is one of the most effective things a host can do. It removes the pressure of pouring drinks on demand, gives guests something to gravitate toward the moment they walk in, and signals that the evening has been prepared for them. It does not need to be expensive or elaborate — it needs to be intentional.