One of the many questions around wine etiquette; When a guest brings wine is the host obligated to serve this wine; the quick answer is no.The host has prepared the meal and may have specific wines in mind to compliment it. The act of bringing a wine is more of a house warming gift for the host to enjoy when they wish. However, if it is agreed prior that the guest will bring wine for the dinner the wine then that wine should be served.

Myka Meier, founder of Beaumont Etiquette, weighs in: “When someone brings you a bottle of wine, you as the host are not obligated to open or serve the bottle that you have been given. It’s completely at the host’s discretion, and if you were just given a bottle that you’d like to open and share, then you may do that or store it away for a rainy day!” So there you have it. Unless the guest and you specifically mention bringing "the wine for dinner".

Guests, using the boarder-house reach to fill up your glass and others is a definite faux pas. Allow your host to fill your glass, even if you have to ask for ‘another taste of that excellent wine.’

"When someone is kind enough to extend an invitation, you should be kind enough to bring along a hostess gift," says etiquette expert Jodi Smith of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting. "My mother taught me to never arrive at a party empty handed," says interior designer Maggie Griffin. 

Keep in mind that this is a gift, not a side dish to be served with the dinner. If the host would like you to bring a dish to share, she/he will ask you to do so when you accept the invite

Clarification:

To help make your point that a bottle of wine is intended as a gift, hand it to the host and say something like, "Thank you for having me! I hope you can enjoy this soon." This gesture relieves pressure on the host when deciding whether you were hoping to enjoy the wine that evening or not. It also helps to present the bottle of wine as a gift, wrapped in a wine bag or even with a simple bow and "thank you" note.

Your main priority as a host is to make your guests feel at ease from the moment they step into your home. If your guest shows up with a bottle of wine and doesn't offer any instructions, it's best to say thank you and then ask if they would like you to serve it with dinner. This way, your guest has an opportunity to confirm that it is a hostess gift and that the wine, at your discretion, can either be opened that evening or stowed away as you please.

Being a Perfect Host

Guests are not often aware of proper wine etiquette and may surprise you by requesting you serve a red or white when the meal selection suggests otherwise. Or they may request to try the wine they brought; be the perfect host and honour their request. When heading over to your host’s home with a partner, you should always bring at least two bottles especially if there will be other guests. However, if you and your partner are not big drinkers, it is more than OK to bring one bottle of wine, and then an additional gesture such as a bouquet of flowers, or something sweet for dessert.*1

If the bottle of wine you bring is not opened or not finished can you take it home with you? NO! If you had expected it to be opened you should have let the host know it was a contribution to the meal according to etiquette experts.

The longer the friendship the more likely these etiquette rules will be relaxed.

*1 - Myka Meier, founder of Beaumont Etiquette

 Wow! You Want to Own a Winery

Wait not so fast owning a winery may sound exciting and luxurious but It is a great deal of work. The major of winery owners are hard working farmers.. they till the land, grow grapes, harvest the grapes and struggle to make money. If you want to be a successful wine owner its best to start rich and many do.

It also helps to hire an experience winemaker, even a consultant with a great reputation and vineyard manager is also required. You also require the help of other wineries, especially if you plan on doing all the jobs by yourself. 

Then, how are you going to sell your wines where is your market. Most likely its only the province your located in. But even getting your wine beyond your own gate is not easy. There are so many wineries out there and more coming.

To become VQA certified you have to pay for this honour. Getting restaurants, pubs ,and liquor stores to carry your wine, a most difficult task. Canadian restaurants don't have a passions for listing Canadian wines on their wine list. Is that the consumer fault? 

So what are you left with, selling your wines on site. Can you afford a tasting room? Can you afford to staff it. You cannot sell, your wines outside of your own winery and tend to your tasting bar at the same time.

Winery owners are finding the industry is much more difficult than they anticipated.

In the last few year we have seen the number of new wineries triple if not more. However numerous wineries are for sale and some have even declared bankruptcy.

So lets support our local Wineries. But wait the majority of the population does not live in Wine country. In Ontario its only 2 hours to the Niagara Peninsula In BC its five hours ( those of you who say you can do it four your away over the speed limit) from Vancouver to the Okanagan. To the Island wineries a rather expensive Ferry ride.

Also there is the cost factors, wines in Canada are over taxed and cost too much!

You can buy a good wine in USA for $6.00 in Canada finding one under $15.00 good luck. If you wish to bring box wines into the picture and other cellared in Canada wines remember those grapes are not grown in Canada It is economically challenging for Canadian vineyards to grow grapes at the price and quality needed to compete with the low priced imports that are flooding our wine market. Check it out for your self what are people buying in your local store. The big bottles from foreign markets I bet.

Many wineries sell limited quantity wines selling for $35.00 and up. Great but they better be way beyond good. Even if they are you need to find a way to let the consumer know and once again find away to sell them.

For over thirty years now we have promoted the wineries of Canada her wines. Yet many wineries totally ignore our request for information. 

AVAs like the Okanagan relay deeply heavily on tourist to purchase wines directly from the winery. That is one reason our website features a tourist section. We also believe we live in a great country and wish to brag a little. 

Icewine was Canadians biggest selling wine product Thanks to a very strong Chinese market. However only a few wineries have access to this rich market. Due to the high price Icewines do not sell well in Liquor stores. In fact I could find only three bottles of Icewine in our Local store. Some wineries in Canada produce only icewine. That's a gamble. If the weather is too warm there is no harvest.

Do not forget climate change that in its self bring new challenges to the vineyard.

As exciting as it sounds, buying and developing a profitable vineyard is a complex proposition. Do a thorough research on the land and grape varitials before you buy any plot. 

Many wineries enhance their income by renting party space, hosting weddings or adding food items.

Do you still want to own a winery?

and then you have California 

California wines continue to grow in popularity with both trade and consumers in the Canadian market," according to Rick Slomka, Wine Institute Trade Director for Canada. "Some of the recent growth comes from new brands with eye-catching labels and clever names. Also contributing to this growth is the ongoing strength of the Canadian dollar which has made California wines more competitive compared to wines from other major wine regions. Our continued success with premium wines in the Quebec market and in LCBO VINTAGES, indicates that Canadian consumers see good value in California at all price points," said Slomka. 

Canadian wines are world class yet consumers still flock to the wines of California and the old world.

We would like the hear your thoughts winebob49@gmail.com