There are no wrong choices, but there are better ones. An easy-drinking red like Abstract is perfect for weeknight dinners and casual get-togethers, while 8 Years in the Desert, a denser, more powerful cuvée, is more contemplative, a slower sip (perfect for when you’ve got a great storyteller in attendance). For an elegant choice in mixed company, Slander is an approachable crowdpleaser with considerable depth, drinking beautifully on its own or with light bites. And of course, the biggest celebrations call for large bottles, a generous and grand gesture that won’t go forgotten. Plus, they make for great mementos.

Now that you’ve chosen the wine, set the mood. Color, texture and light are at your disposal in setting your mise-en-scène, a canvas soon-to-be stained with wine. Ditch the overly formal white tablecloth and opt for smaller fabric accents like table runners in dark tones with subtle texture, a stylish and stain-tolerant choice. Blend lower table decor with taller focal points like pillar candles for a natural warm glow or a small riser to highlight the bottle. Keep sightlines clear for a relaxed, unobtrusive feeling. A few finishing touches like some metallic accents and some raw, weathered wood will catch the eye and complete the scene. Aim for personal, not perfect.

It doesn’t take a culinary degree to pair wine with food. Keep it classic and straightforward with bread, crackers, cheeses and meats. Salty snacks emphasize freshness and acid in wine, so include pickled bites like olives and cornichons and crunchy bits like chips and corn nuts. And of course, keep everyone’s water topped up. Guests won’t expect a full meal unless told otherwise so keep it light to save on prep and clean-up. THe best host is one who is present.

Finally, the guests arrive. After introductions are made and niceties are exchanged, the attention shifts to the wine at hand. Expectations are high and judgements are inevitably made but that’s part of the thrill. And as the wine unfurls and becomes itself in the glass, the label art makes that much more sense and suddenly, it all comes together in a beautiful perfect moment. That’s what it’s all about.

And if things go sideways, we’ve found a bottle of Double Take and some paper cups can still lead to a perfectly memorable evening.