The rule of thumb for serving wine at a dinner party is about half a bottle per person. Thus, 40 bottles should serve 80 people. Consider whether all attendees will be drinking (e.g., pregnant women, underage attendees) or whether some tend to drink significantly more and adjust the number of bottles up or down.
Other considerations are whether you will serve both white and red, and whether you will start with white and switch everyone to red or serve people one or the other throughout the event.
If you plan to service a welcome aperitif, you might be able to cut down slightly. However, to ensure you do not run out, buy a wine you enjoy and do not mind having left over to enjoy later.
Answers
February 15, 2010
The rule of thumb for serving wine at a dinner party is about half a bottle per person. Thus, 40 bottles should serve 80 people. Consider whether all attendees will be drinking (e.g., pregnant women, underage attendees) or whether some tend to drink significantly more and adjust the number of bottles up or down.
Other considerations are whether you will serve both white and red, and whether you will start with white and switch everyone to red or serve people one or the other throughout the event.
If you plan to service a welcome aperitif, you might be able to cut down slightly. However, to ensure you do not run out, buy a wine you enjoy and do not mind having left over to enjoy later.