About
Menu + Pairing Services
Thoughtful wine pairings to elevate your menu, event, or gathering.
I’ll help you choose wines that complement your dishes, fit your budget, and create a memorable experience for your guests.
Palate’s Menu + Pairing Services are designed for anyone who wants to take the guesswork out of selecting wines for a meal or event. Whether you're hosting a dinner party, planning a celebration, or building a themed menu, I’ll curate wine pairings that match your goals and enhance your menu beautifully.
What This Service Includes
Curated wine pairing recommendations tailored to your menu and goals.
Notes explaining why each pairing works and how to present it to guests.
Clear, easy-to-understand tasting notes for each selected wine.
An optional evaluation sheet if you'd like to make your gathering interactive.
A personalized, guided selection process that fits your budget and timeline.
Perfect For
Dinner parties.
Celebrations and special occasions.
Holiday gatherings.
Menu planning for hosts and home cooks.
Anyone wanting a curated wine experience without hosting a formal tasting.
No wine expertise required — just your menu and a sense of the experience you want to create.
How This Service Works
1. Schedule a Planning Call
We’ll start with a short call to discuss:
Your event date and timeline.
Your menu or featured dishes.
Your wine budget.
Your goals for the evening.
Please allow at least a weekend between our call and your event so I can curate thoughtfully.
2. Wine Pairing & Recommendations
I will recommend wines you can conveniently purchase at Binny’s, paired to:
Up to six menu items, or
A theme or flavor direction you want to explore.
This keeps the process simple, flexible, and tailored to your event.
3. Wine Selection Confirmation
You’ll select your preferred wines and send photos of the bottles, making sure the photos clearly show:
Winery / producer.
Vintage (year).
Wine name and style.
Any other identifying details.
This ensures accuracy and allows me to prepare precise notes.
4. Custom Tasting Materials
I will prepare:
Approachable tasting notes for each wine.
A pairing guide showing how each wine complements your dishes.
An optional evaluation sheet for guests, if desired.
These materials help you feel confident hosting and explaining the wines.
5. Follow-Up & Relationship Building
After your event, you’re welcome to share feedback and impressions. Many clients return for seasonal menus, future gatherings, or expanded services, and I enjoy building ongoing relationships around wine and hospitality.
What’s Not Included
Wine purchases. You will purchase the recommended wines directly from your preferred retailer.
In-person hosting or event facilitation. This service provides pairing recommendations and notes only. Hosting or leading a tasting falls under a separate service.
Menu creation. I pair wines to your existing dishes; full menu development is not included.
Glassware, supplies, or setup. This service does not include equipment or event-day preparation.
Large menu overhauls. Pairings are provided for up to six menu items. More extensive pairing work can be quoted separately.
Ready to Get Started?
If you're planning a meal, gathering, or event and want curated wine pairings that elevate the experience, I’d love to help.
Let’s talk about your menu and begin designing a pairing that fits your goals.