I don't drink wine much at all, a glass a year maybe, but I need help.

I have to put together a case of wine of different kinds for a function. I am trying to the per bottle price under 18.00.

I know of the FT'ers as generally well rounded, interesting group, so I am taking suggestions for what your case would consist of.

Suggestions? You can give me a bottle or 2 of your favorites, or put together a case.

Thanks in advance!

Here's what I do (after reading the responses below)... Walk into your local boutique wine store. Tell them what you told us. Giving a retailer a challenge may pay dividends. They'll want to please you (hopefully), instead of blowing you off.

That said, I'd go with 8 red and 4 white. That number would vary if you're doing a summer BBQ vs a steak dinner.

White
Instead of a boring chard, try a viognier or a marsanne. Totally different taste, and a crowd pleaser. I'd also do a pinot gris from Oregon. Chenin Blanc is a nice wine. If the crowd is a non-geek wine group, try a dry riesling. It's a little sweet and not over the top.

Red
From the Central Coast of California, try a Syrah.
From Paso Robles in CA, try a Zinfandel.
From Napa/Sonoma try a Cab/Zin/Pinot Noir
From Oregon try a Pinot Noir.
Try a Rhone blend from California.
Try a Meritage (this is a blend and can be fun).

Don't forget a bottle of champagne or Sparkling Wine or Cava. Everyone loves a taste to start off the meal.

I think this list, rather than a specific wine list will be useful. Although when in doubt, Columbia Crest from the Northwest is sure to please at a price.

dh

This thread may help

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/dinin...12-bottle.html

But it may be a bit dated.

Where do you live? There's a very good chance somebody is near enough you to recommend a store, and probably a specific person in the store, who can help you with some excellent choices at or below your price point.

Dan and I pretty much agree on most wines we have shared together, so I would second everything he says.

Go to a Trader Joe's store near you, and ask the manager to make up a case for you. Or just pick randomly. 99% of the wines stocked by TJ are better than average, and all are good value for their price point. The shelf tag descriptions tend to be spot on. No other wine store can do better (including the best in the country).

I would echo what is stated above. I would also add some Chilean reds and Australian whites to the mix. Both can be found with excellent result at your price point.

Another +1 for dhammer53's basic advice: ask at a local wine store. The staff there are literally paid to be able to help solve questions such as yours.

I disagree with the advice of buying 12 different labels, though. Unless the purpose of your event is specifically to taste a wide variety of wines, you'll be better served by limiting your selection to 2-3 types. Going with a wider selection means more bottles opened simultaneously, more confusion about which one is right, and more waste. I recommend selecting a good, basic white (I like sauvignon blanc), 1-2 reds (lighter or heavier depending on the food), and 1 champagne if your plans involve an appertif, a toast, or a brunch.

Thanks so far for the suggestions.

For one poster, I live in the MEM area, so if anyone wants to chime in with their Memphis wine merchant, I'm all ears!

I never thought of the 12 different labels vs. not. Lot's of things to consider.

I'll keep checking back for most ideas.

J.

Try http://www.giordanowines.com/home.ph...rdanowines.com

1. where do you live? maybe i know a store that has more than a two ups salesman.
2. do you and your friends do more beef or more fish, or some weird kind of cooking like canadian or british or new jersey?(joke)
3. do you do aperitif or is the wine for sit down dinner?
4. stay away from big stores. the salesperson probably doesn't know jack, or for a $2-300 sale has no interest in spending time with you. to get any attention here in dc at a major store, buy at least $10,000.
if you wish, just pm me.

Getting the wine store person involved is a bit like getting th librarian involved on a research project...... huge dividends!

The wine ideas above though, some are on some are not.

Definitely have a look for Pomelo from Mason Cellars in CA.
It is one of few CA Sauv. Blancs that I find palatable. And at $10 a pop it is the single best deal I have seen in years. Pure SWP (Swimming Pool Wine) but summer approaches and if there are lighter style wine preferences there you will be hitting it perfectly.

The other white ideas like Australian are wonderful suggestions. Although I would add NZ Sauv. Blanc and Riesling for Cost Performance. Kim Crawford is widely available i the US and priced at where you want it to be.

I would even consider a few bottles of Mirabelle (pink and sparkling from Schramsberg. A definite crowd pleaser and will even appeal to wine snobs. And priced very right.

For reds, Pinot Noir from Sonoma is good. Not from Napa. If you want to get several various wines from a single producer (i.e. from their site) and have it shipped to you, I can highly recommend Cline Cellars. They have a Rhone Blend that will knock your socks off for the price. All of their stuff is priced where you want it and the Viognier from there is a winner.

Zin and Syrah are far harder to handle by the average and casual drinker so I would stay away from those. On the other hand a Cab. Sav. or a Merlot will be easy. I do like the initial suggestions of a Rhone Blend though. (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre..a.k.a. GSM)

My bets advice would be to go online to thewinestop.com, have a look at what they have to get a sense of prices, and then call them and have them do the choosing and the shipping. They know their stuff, have a wonderful selection and make a great resource for this and other wine needs.

Mike