Ordering your own wine at a party

[racheld]

A couple of weeks ago, we were attending an anniversary party at a hotel; our table of ten was "treated" to wine ordered and paid for by one of the other guests at the table. He shared it, he described it, and seemed happy for others to partake of his selection.

BUT---it seemed a slap at the hosts, who had served their own selections to their whole roomful of guests. It seemed, if only by inference, that their choices were not good enough, or were not quite worthy of his own educated palate.

Is this a new thing I just haven't noticed? And would you do it?

rachel

[DTBarton]

In general, if someone is kind enough to be hosting me, I will happily partake of the free hospitality and would think it a little offending if someone ordered something else.

A little different if a finite amount was provided for the table and when it was gone, a guest decided to provide a little more.

[Brad Ballinger]

Generally, I would discourage such practice as showing up the host. But, if the wine were ordered toward the end of the affair, after everyone had eaten and drank of the host's wine, I could allow a little latitude. It is still a delicate issue, though, and I would not do it.

[bouquetduvin]

A couple of weeks ago, we were attending an anniversary party at a hotel; our table of ten was "treated" to wine ordered and paid for by one of the other guests at the table.  He shared it, he described it, and seemed happy for others to partake of his selection.

BUT---it seemed a slap at the hosts, who had served their own selections to their whole roomful of guests.  It seemed, if only by inference, that their choices were not good enough, or were not quite worthy of his own educated palate.

Is this a new thing I just haven't noticed?    And would you do it?

rachel

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Personally, I think it is in poor taste that when someone is hosting an event, you make a choice to order something else and encourage the table to partake in it. Every host, makes a decision when they are hosting a party as to their budget and if they can get into more detail of food and wine pairing selecting the wines, then more power to them. If you decide to drink something else then what is offered, there is a more subtle way of handling it. As a Wine importer myself, I am always so gracious in accepting what someone offers me as to not insult MY HOST or HOSTESS.

[davebr]

If you were the host would you care? I wouldnt. As a host you cant expect to please everyone 100%. But you can and do want everyone to be happy. If that is what made that guy happy, so be it.

[jrt]

If you were the host would you care?  I wouldnt.  As a host you cant expect to please everyone 100%.  But you can and do want everyone to be happy.  If that is what made that guy happy, so be it.

←

While I can see your point, I do think that if you really wanted to order something else, the right thing to do would be to order something that isn't wine. While I personally wouldn't be offended as the host, I wouldn't do this as a guest and would probably say something to another guest doing the ordering.