Don’t be intimidated by the thought of entertaining! All it takes is a little bit of planning. Follow this handy guide for answers to some of the most frequently asked party planning questions.

How much wine do I need?

• One 750 ml. bottle = five 5 oz. glasses
• 12 bottles (1 case) = 1 glass each for 60 guests
• Ask a Wine Steward about available discounts on large wine purchases!

How should I serve cheese to my guests?

• When preparing a cheese board, always start with a cheese-friendly surface like wood, tile or marble.
• As a general guideline, serve about 1–1½ ounces per cheese per person.
• Cheeses are best served in odd numbers (arranged according to flavor) with a common theme, like type or country of origin.
• Always use separate knives for each cheese and remember to serve them at room temperature for best flavor.
• For an easy and elegant option, our Cheese Specialists can also build artisan cheese boards for you!

How many appetizers and hors d'oeuvres should I get?

• Anticipate 3 pieces per person per appetizer if you are serving them as starters before a meal. Usually in this format, you will only need 1–2 options.
• Heavy hors d'oeuvres parties require quite a bit more. Traditionally, guests will consume a minimum of 10–12 pieces each in a 2–2½ hour period.
• In addition to providing individual-sized nibbles, it's also a good idea to consider including 1–2 composed platters such as fruit, grilled vegetables, antipasto, spinach dip or hummus.

Article was originally published in December of 2010 and updated in October of 2023.