How Many Bottles of Wine Should I Plan for 30, 60 or 100 People?

When organizing an event, whether it's a small evening with friends, a wedding, or a buffet, figuring out the right amount of wine is part of the planning.

No one wants to run out of wine halfway through the meal or, less seriously, be left with too much.

So how do you figure out the right number of bottles of wine? For 30, 60, or 100 people?
Let's take a moment to explore the best ways to make sure your event goes smoothly.

Why Estimate the Right Amount of Wine?

The Risks of Running Out of Wine or Having Too Much

Picture the scene: your guests raise their glasses to toast, and then, to everyone's dismay, there's not a drop of wine left! This can spoil the mood and even take some of the shine off your event. On the other hand, ending up with a cellar full of unopened bottles, especially if they're not suited to long-term storage, can also be a problem.
So it's important to strike the right balance.

How to Calculate the Number of Bottles of Wine You'll Need

How Many Glasses Can You Serve from One Bottle of Wine?

A standard 75 cl bottle of wine serves about 6 glasses of 125 ml.
But keep in mind that glass size can affect the quantity.

If you use large wine glasses or your guests like to fill them to the brim, you may get fewer glasses per bottle.

To avoid any confusion, make sure to use glasses suited to the wine you're serving.

How Much Wine Should You Plan for Per Person?

For a Sit-Down Meal

At a sit-down meal, each guest generally has 2 to 3 glasses of wine, or half a bottle per person.
If you're serving red wine with the main course and white or rosé with the starter, allow one bottle for every 2 people.

For a Dinner Buffet

At a buffet, guests often like to sample several drinks.
In this case, allow 1 to 2 glasses per person.

That's 1 bottle for every 3 to 4 people, since not everyone will have a glass in hand at all times.

How Much Wine to Plan for Different Types of Events

Family Gatherings or Evenings with Friends

For a small gathering, a good rule of thumb is to have 1 bottle for every 3 people.
This should cover the whole evening, even if your guests have an extra glass of white or red wine.

Weddings

For a wedding reception, the average consumption is 1 to 2 glasses per person.
If you choose Champagne or sparkling wine, one bottle of Champagne serves 6 flutes.
So plan on about 2 flutes per guest.

During the meal, allow 1 bottle for every 2 people.
If the meal includes several courses, offer a variety: white wine with fish, red wine with meat, and perhaps rosé with the starter.
Don't forget Champagne lovers when serving cheese and dessert, either!

And what about a tasting?

Wine Tastings and Themed Evenings

At tastings, smaller pours are preferred, but there's usually a wide selection.
3 to 4 small glasses per person are enough, since the aim is to savor the wine, not to drink a large quantity.

By the way, you can view our tasting calendar by clicking here.

Factors to Consider When Estimating How Much Wine You'll Need

An hour-long aperitif obviously won't require the same amount of wine as a dance party that goes on until dawn.
For longer events, allow one bottle for every 2 people and add a little extra.

Do your guests prefer wine?
If most of them enjoy fine wine, you may need to increase your estimate.
For a more mixed crowd, don't forget other drinks such as water, soft drinks, or even beer.

Adapt your selection to the season.
In summer, guests often prefer rosé or a chilled glass of white wine.
In winter, red wine pairs better with hearty dishes. 

How to Choose the Right Wine for Your Event

The Basics of Food and Wine Pairing

The type of wine you choose is just as important as the quantity.

To keep it simple, choose red wine for red meat and white wine for fish or fresh cheese.

On this subject, we've shared our thoughts on some pairings on our blog.
Feel free to take a look.

Formats to Consider: Bottles, Bag-in-Box, and Magnums

If your event has a large number of guests, opt for magnums or bag-in-box wine, which are more economical and practical to serve.

These formats not only help reduce costs, but also make serving easier, especially when you're hosting more than 30 people.

A magnum, equivalent to two standard bottles, is perfect for large groups.
Bag-in-box wine, meanwhile, is an excellent option for buffets or longer events, with a capacity of up to 3 or 5 liters of wine.

These formats also help prevent you from running out during service.
That way, you can spend more time enjoying your guests and less time opening bottles.

What Drinks Should You Serve Besides Wine?

To offer a variety, consider including:

• Still and sparkling water: essential.
• Beer and a few bottles of spirits: to give your guests a choice.
• Champagne or sparkling wine: for special occasions.

To offer a variety, consider including:

• Still and sparkling water: essential.
• Beer and a few bottles of spirits: to give your guests a choice.
• Champagne or sparkling wine: for special occasions.

Where Should You Host Your Event?

Depending on the number of guests, you could rent a dedicated venue, a property, or even a wine bar like La Cave du Canal. See our article on the best wine bars in Paris.

You can rent out our wine bar for your event for up to 40 people. See our private hire page.

To Wrap Up

Remember to always allow a little extra to avoid running out.

And if you have any unopened bottles left, you can save them for another occasion.

You're now ready to plan a successful event!

Don't hesitate to contact us about your next event, whether you'd like advice on the best food and wine pairings or need bottles, magnums, or bag-in-box wine. 🍷