Perfect Match

For some hosts, choosing which wines to serve can be nothing short of intimidating. Such was not the case for a party that Washington, D.C., designer Deborah Winsor recently hosted. The party featured a five-course dinner paired with an over-the-top wine list and was served with apparent ease -- perhaps because she invited guests to join in on the preparations.

"It all started when we were at a friend's house drinking wine and we started discussing the idea of having a party where everyone brings the most outrageous bottle they have, or at least the most unique -- something that other guests wouldn't have tried before," says Winsor. "It had to be a bit challenging to be fun."

Soon afterward, Winsor sent out invitations. "I called friends who I thought would enjoy it," she says. Each invitation included the menu and a card indicating which course to provide wine for. The number of guests was limited to five couples, as she planned to serve five courses.

To relieve herself of the burden of cooking, Winsor hired a chef. "It's nice to be able to enjoy the event and not worry over all the details," says the designer, who is much more interested in the crystal, china, and silver than the stove. She secured experts for the occasion: Stephen and Inez Ribustello, the husband-and-wife team of the restaurant On the Square in Tarboro, North Carolina.

The couple studied under Master Sommelier Andrea Immer Robinson and wine expert Kevin Zraly of the famed restaurant Windows on the World. "I told Inez and Stephen that I wanted an inventive menu, with each course special enough to find a wine to pair with it," Winsor says.

If preparing the food is what you enjoy about entertaining, a chef is not necessary. "You could serve fish or a less complicated Italian menu," she suggests. Of course, the most important thing is that everyone has a wonderful time. "My husband and I always try to put together a group that would enjoy each other's company," she says.

WINSOR'S WALK-THROUGH
A guide to planning a perfectly paired party

• Limit the number of couples you invite to the number of courses you plan to serve.
• Call friends that you think would enjoy such an experience. "The food and wine pairings are important, so it's up to the host to invite guests who will be willing to explore and find the appropriate wine to pair with each course," says Winsor. "Advise guests to be adventurous."
• Decide whether your party will have a theme -- try all Spanish wines with tapas, for example. "If there is a theme, go all the way -- all Australian or all French," she says. "Otherwise, go worldly. Mix it up with Spanish, French, American, Australian."
• Enclose the menu with each invitation, along with the course each couple should provide wine for. "If you know the food that will be served, tell the guests so they can bring the appropriate wine," says sommelier Inez Ribustello. "Or vice versa, if you know the wine that will be served, inform the chef so he can prepare accordingly."
• Set the table, add a spectacular floral arrangement, and enjoy!

RESOURCES: August Georges (T), 202/337-5110, augustgeorges.com; floral design by Tiffany Miller Clark, tmillerclark@earthlink.net, 252/813-0446; On the Square, 252/823-8268, onthesquarenc.com; Just Paper & Tea (R), 202/333-9141.