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Hello there! I'm Dr. Vinifera, or "Vinny" for short. Ask me your toughest wine questions, from the technical aspects of winemaking to the fine points of etiquette. I hope you find my answers educational and even amusing. Want to see more of them? Check out my archive. And here are my most Frequently Asked Questions.
Dear Dr. Vinny,
Is it OK to serve the wine that is brought by the guest that same evening?
—Sandy, Springfield, Va.
Dear Sandy,
A host or hostess gift is traditionally considered a gift for the host, which means there is no obligation to serve it that evening (unless it's a wine potluck). As a good host I have already picked out wines that complement the dinner. But I'm also a gracious host, so if someone brings over a bottle that seems very special, I'll ask them if they would like to share it with everyone that evening, and if it appears that this was the intention, I'll cheerfully accommodate it.
From the guest's perspective, if you'd like to provide wine for the evening, it's best to contact the host ahead of time to discuss what might be appropriate (and then still bring a gift). If not, if you bring a bottle and your hosts ask you if you want them to open it that evening, you can smile and say, "No, that's for you, to thank you for your hospitality."
—Dr. Vinny
Do you have a question for me? Fire away!
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