What wine for a housewarming?

A housewarming is a relaxed, happy celebration — the wine should match that energy. Skip the serious cellar-worthy bottles and go for something that's fun to open right away.

Champagne is the ultimate crowd-pleaser. A non-vintage brut from a quality house (Pol Roger, Billecart-Salmon, Deutz) in the €30-45 range always makes an impression. On a tighter budget, a good Crémant de Bourgogne or Crémant d'Alsace (€10-15) delivers real sparkle for less.

For a red, Châteauneuf-du-Pape hits the sweet spot — powerful but smooth, ready to drink, and impressive-sounding. Crozes-Hermitage or Saint-Joseph (€12-20) offer similar pleasure for less. If you want a local touch in Belgium, a Pinot Noir from a Walloon estate would be a charming surprise.

For white, Chablis Premier Cru brings mineral freshness perfect with aperitif snacks. Sancerre or Pouilly-Fumé (€12-18) are safe bets that virtually everyone enjoys.

Etiquette tip: if you don't know the host's taste, bring two bottles — one sparkling and one still (red or white). Present them in a simple but clean gift bag. And if you know the host's birth year, a wine from that vintage is a particularly thoughtful touch.