Throwing a Successful Dinner Party

A dinner party is a great excuse for getting together with a group of friends and letting your hair down and having fun. The mix of good food and delicious wines is a recipe for making sure that your dinner party is one to be remembered for all the right reasons.

To make that you as the host have as much fun as your guests is all in the planning ahead of the evening. Make sure that you chose a menu that means you won't spend the evening in the kitchen, slaving over a hot stove.

Another part of the planning for extra fun for everybody is to have a theme attached to your evening. This can be based around events, holidays, places of interest etc. Think about what your guests like to eat and drink and a theme can be developed from there.

It's a good idea to think about how adventurous your guests' palettes are as finicky eaters may not enjoy anything too hot or spicy. If you can, try to find out in advance if anyone has particular food allergies or food dislikes.

Your theme can be further developed with very little effort and cost by adding specific music or perhaps decorating the table. Simple decorations are all that's needed, you don't to spend lots but you do need to make sure that anything on the table is not too high to stop conversation.

A great theme for a special dinner party evening is a South African theme. The rich depths of food choices and wine history of South Africa, coupled with the bright rainbow nation colours and music culture are fun for everyone to enjoy.

South Africa has oceans filled with an abundance of fresh fish of all types and these make wonderful pairings with delicious South African white wines.

Fresh scallops or oysters make great starter ideas that go well with a South African dry white wine. Scallops can be as spicy as your guests palettes will allow but some hot chillis and garlic scallops with a cool glass of South African Chenin Blanc are a great way to relax into the evening.

A main course of peri peri fish accompanied by a Rose Pinotage is unusual but works well. The Pinotage is a change to traditional white wine with fish but will be enjoyed by everyone and keep the evening chatter flowing well into the night.