<p>I’m not a drinker…don’t really like the taste of alcohol. Maybe a cold beer on a hot day. So I never bothered to learn what’s a good, say, wine, since it all tastes lousy to me, regardless of cost.</p>
<p>Well I’m invited for “drinks” at a neighbor’s…only 4 of us: the h and w neighbors, unknown female, and self.</p>
<p>What’s a good bottle of whatever to bring?? I assume it should be wine, since that requires no effort (like mixing) on the host’s part? I don’t know the first thing about sweet, dry, etc. As long as it’s decent, not cheap. Don’t know their taste in wine or any other alcohol type. </p>
<p>since it is getting cooler a red wine would be nicer than white - which is nicer in the summer …since you don’t know what is being served - try a pinot noir in the $15-20 range…</p>
<p>A nice bottle of merlot will do just fine, not too intense and not too sweet. You do not have to spend a great deal of money for a good bottle of wine. Beringers or Lindemans are have great mid priced wines. Enjoy.</p>
<p>That’s a toughy because taste and preferences vary widely, even among people who do drink. I prefer a dry chardonnay like Grgich Hills or Cakebread Cellars or, if feeling slightly expansive, Far Niente. TheMom likes those but also like sweeter wines. And many people prefer red wine. I’d stay away from a Cabernet because a) it’s heavy and b) it pricey for anything drinkable. But you can find a decent Pinot Noir or Merlot at reasonable prices, and Stags Leap makes a nice Syrah…the guy in your local wine store can probably help. Also, a light Italian red, like a Barolo or Bardolino is a nice compromise.</p>
<p>Hopefully you’re not going tonight. I’d go to your local beer and wine retailer and ask the sommelier. Make sure you don’t just go to one of those yuppy places that booby trap their wine inventory with crappy high priced bottles.</p>
<p>We have a retailer up the street whose wife is a genius at bringing in good cases at good prices. Everytime we go to a friend’s house, we just go in and ask what’s in that’s good and a good buy. Not necessarily the highest priced bottle. Let me tell you that again, NOT NECESSARILY HIGH PRICED. Price in wine is sort of a phallic symbol. Don’t go there. </p>
<p>Find a good store in your area.</p>
<p>Personally, any reds that aren’t from Cali give me a huge headache. I’ve sworn off all except Cali. Too many bad memories. :(</p>
<p>You’ve sworn off Bordeaux, Burgundy and C-D-P (I’m a francophile about wine)? That’s terrible. But help may be on the way for avoiding your headaches. </p>
<p>For the OP, I ditto doubleplay. Go ask the wine guy at your local retailer, and give him the price range. He’ll know what he has that’s the best choice for the money you’re willing to spend.</p>
<p>I like going to a wine store and asking for suggestions. We tend to cheap most of the time and drink a lot of Yellowtail Chardonnay from Australia. I don’t like their red wines as much. Even if you are having a red wine dinner a chardonnay is nice to drink ahead of time.</p>
<p>That’s funny because I’m sipping on a glass of yellow tail chardonnay as I read your post. It costs about $7 (seven) dollars a bottle. Take two bottles-- one white and one red. I’m trying to remember a red wine that is outstanding and sells for only twelve dollars a bottle ( and I love red wines that usually are quite expensive). When I remember, I’ll repost and then you can take both bottles for less than twenty dollars. Typically, though, good red wines are much more costly than a good white wine. Stephen Vincent red blend. Stephen Vincent “Crimson” 2005. This is an incredible twelve dollar wine!</p>
<p>I’m not a wine drinker but I do like Rex Goliath. The label is hilarious, and the wine is a red (don’t ask me what kind…I have no idea). It isn’t expensive at all.</p>
<p>Take the red wine at room temperature or, ideally, at 63 degrees F. The white wine should be chilled. Stephen Vincent “Crimson” 2005 is not sweet, nor is it overly dry. Two different wine shop owners told me about this wine, different vintage of course, but it would be considered great even with a fifty dollar price tag. Crimson is Stephen Vincent’s red blend; so it is not labeled as merlot or cabernet sauvignon (which they also make and I have not tried it).</p>
<p>Wow, good to hear I’m not the only one into Aussie wines. Yellow tail shiraz is surprisingly good for the price, and it is my fav. Another decent selection from the cheap bin is Goats Do Roam (word play) from South Africa.</p>
<p>during dinner while everyone else was posting I thought of a red from Chili or Argentina - the hot new areas for wine and many not expensive - like others said ask at your wine shop - </p>
<p>and there was a item on Yahoo news today about red wine headache!! I had a glass of German red (left from Sunday’s Ladies’ Wine club Oktoberfest) and Immediately got a headache!!</p>
<p>My husband like Aussie wines too, Yellow tail I think. he usually gets them from Trader’s Joe.
I like dry white like fume blanc, usually from Robert Mondavi. It should be around $20, you can get them at Costco.
For red, I like Franciscan Carbernet Sauvignon.
I usually order a glass from Napa Valley Grille. I don’t think it’s too expansive, around $20+.</p>
<p>I really don’t think you need to bring anything. The host will have a good selection of drinks and that is half the idea of having a party–you are the planner, and host. I don’t know where this idea that you always have to bring something really started. People end up with a bunch of crap they don’t want, have to serve it and say it was great. Who needs that? What you should do is reciprocate in some way.</p>
<p>There are two answers here. One is, if you don’t drink alcohol, take a bottle of something you do like to drink, and some flowers or a plant. The other is, set a price range and go to the store and ask the wine specialist (if there is one) for a good white or red (whichever you like more) in that price range.</p>
<p>Personally, I would take a $20 Oregon Pinot Noir, but that’s because I really like Oregon Pinots and have yet to have one I didn’t like.</p>
<p>TheDad-
Grgich Hills and Cakebread Cellars?? I am coming to your house!! Great stuff, but wow-- can be pricey. </p>
<p>Several great ideas have been mentioned here. I ditto going with a red at this time of year,but as good as Merlots are (in terms of being soft and drinkable by people of all wine tastes) they are begining to fall out of favor a bit (if you care). Pinots, Syrahs and varietal blends (cab/merlot mixes which are like the yummy Bordeax lderochi mentioned)etc are a safe wayto go. Consider too, Washington State wines. Theyre are some really nice choices, that are reasonably priced.</p>
<p>Agreed that Costco has a decent selection at good prices. If you go to a local wine/liquor shop, tell them your situation (the social engagement) and about what you want to spend. They can give you several good suggestions</p>
<p>I’m a patriot of Washington State and my local wineries, but I can not recommend too many reds from here There are some good ones, but they are very rare and cost upwards of $30. Sorry, but a lot of WA reds taste like “beer with some red Cool-Aid in them” (quote from today’s “Earl”).</p>
There are some good ones, but they are very rare and cost upwards of $30. Sorry, but a lot of WA reds taste like “beer with some red Cool-Aid in them” (quote from today’s “Earl”).</p>