Recipes

[qvc chick]

I am having a dinner party for 8 guests at my home in a few weeks.  I have a dilemma, when I am setting the formal table.

When guests arrive, I offer them appetizers and wine.  About a half hour later, I serve dinner.

I usually place wine glasses at the table setting, which makes the table look nice.  But then what do I give them when they arrive??  One year, I had double glasses....gave them one wine glass upon arrival, and then when they sat down, they had another one at their seat.

I am sure this is a common problem!

[deepwaterdotter]

Are you offering the same wine with both the appetizers and entree?

[StephaniM]

I typically serve champagne with the hors d.  ( you can have sparkling water or sparkling cider ).   If your guest asks for wine, then by all means, get her a seperate glass. I love he wine glasses on the table.  

[StephaniM]

PS, Appetizers and Hors D are different.  Appetizers are served played, at the table, in a small portion.  Hors D are bite size, eaten with fingers, typically standing

[qvc chick]

Yes, it is the same wine. I typically purchase 3-4 bottles of wine, set it out on the counter, and offer guests wine when they arrive.  But, I really like the way wine glasses dress up the tablescape.  So there is the dilemma

[depglass]

I don't see a problem at all unless you don't own enough glasses.  Most people will not hang onto the original glass, once they have emptied it they will set it down somewhere if you don't take it from them.  So a fresh goblet is the natural solution. 

[withaK]

Set your table in formal style with one set of stemware and then use another for pre-dinner. I have a ton of glasses !  What do you need ??  lol  ( I found a set of Waterford crystal (for 12) in my basement. I don't remember ever receiving it and questioned my sisters to see if it may have been moved in error. No takers ! )

Check Bed, Bath & Beyond-- you can find something pretty --maybe a set of stemless glasses which plays well against formal stemware IMO-- and you can always snag a coupon on-line. Or try B&Js or Costco--- they should have something especially this time of year.

[rrpell]

I find it is rare that my guests completely finish the wine that is in their glasses, before dinner. I don't want them to gulp!  I like it when they bring their unfinished glasses over to the table.  It allows the evening to flow from the appetizers into the dinner.

So, I set my table with one wine glass for each person.  If someone would like wine with their appetizers (some do not), I will use their glass from the table.  The rest are left on the table for those who choose not to have it with their appetizers but may have some with dinner.

If, during dinner, someone wants to switch wines, I will take away their old glass and replace it with a fresh one.

[Nonametoday]

One DIL is quite up to date on etiquette because her mother hosts quite often.  She says the more roly poly wine glasses are the thing now because there is not a fear of spilling red wine on the carpet or tablecloth as we once were prone to do with stems, so if you are serving one while receiving guests and another at dinner, perhaps you could use the roly poly on receipt and stems at the table or vise versa.

Hors douvres can be the same but are served in a different way.  Appetizers should be passed as the first course at the table.  Hors douvres are a one-bite deal served by a domestic or while walking standing in conversation with guests.

[sunshine45]

i set my wine glasses at place settings. i have other wine glasses set up in my bar area where they can choose a wine. i have a nice selection of wine glasses so i do not run out.

i think sometimes guests may not care for a wine they have poured and dont want to be seen dumping it out, so i prefer to have them also sitting at the dinner table so that they may choose another wine, if they wish.