<p>I did not read the entire thread so sorry if this is a repeat. We regularly host this type of party and I have learned to keep it very simple.</p>
<p>We get the Menage a Trois red and white wines. They are California wines and are actually very good. If you have a World Market or a Costco, you can get these for less than $9 per bottle. </p>
<p>Get a domestic light beer and a couple different imports like a lager and one other. Small bottled waters, Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite/7 up and also at Costco you can get a great deal on a case of small Perrier sparkling waters. </p>
<p>Schmaltz - I am going in search of some fino. Sounds wonderful and adventurous!</p>
<p>My in-laws also referred to CT as a “jungle” with too many trees. And of course the roads were also too narrow and had too many hills and curves. It just wasn’t American, according to them. I mean, they would literally say that! They even objected to the style of the street signs. They made fun of me because I did not shop at JC Penney, which was the only place a “real” American would shop in their view.</p>
<p>As we have discussed before in other threads, there are provincial/parochial people everywhere, even in the largest cities. But they really did take the cake. :D</p>
<p>Other notes from the thread…I love Laphroaig and sherries. For some strange reason probably related to the ridiculousness of having a state-controlled alcohol system, the supermarkets in my state only carry cheap domestic cream sherries and–occasionally–Dry Sack. One has to go to a wine store to get anything else–and the wine stores are not allowed to carry spirits stronger than fortified wines like sherry and port. Very strange. There is only one non-market place I know in our entire region where one can purchase the full array of booze, and I think they are classified as some kind of official state outlet, although they are a private business. The other annoying thing is that there are many specialized liqueurs and spirits that one can’t get at all in-state, and sometimes all of the stores in the region will run out of something as basic as kirsch, which I need to make one of my truffles. Then I have to drive to NH or Massachusetts to get it.</p>
<p>After reading so many posts and so many opinions, I think the Op will have to ask him/herself
what is the point of this party?</p>
<p>To educate the guests on “better” wines?
To impress them with pricey wines?
To sell them on the idea of “buying local” rather than foreign owned? - Will the host forbid parking to foreign cars?
To show them the lengths the host will go to to find and purchase obscure regional wines?
To provide some alcohol as a courtesy to friends?
To “lift up” their tastes from those of the masses?
Or some other reason?</p>
<p>I think many have given thoughtful answers here to the question of what beer and wine to provide. Some have even expanded the question to what water should they provide.
It’s a tough question, like asking who is the best NFL player- it all depends on the purpose to get a solid answer. But I think that to sort through these varied answers, the host needs to first narrow down the intent of the party.</p>
<p>Although I would have some of the old standbys handy for those who like it, I would definitely add the local microbrewery in there if a potential coworker, employer, or inlaw was part of the mix.</p>
<p>with all the suggestions, maybe make it a BYOB party! </p>
<p>too funny about the trees & jungle comments. We had nannies from Utah for nearly 10 years and within the first 10 minutes of meeting each of them, they all said “it’s so green here”. Until we went to one’s wedding in SLC we didn’t understand it.</p>
<p>My sister-in-law (who has lived in New Hampshire for over 25 years) still misses the flatness of Florida. She says New England makes her feel claustrophobic.</p>
<p>Younghoss, interesting analysis. For our parties - I’d say we like to have a variety of wine because most of our friends are interested. I consider parties a good time to educate myself about the variety that’s out there, but in a very low key way. I like craft beer and have a hard time believing people prefer the boring stuff, but we usually some regular beer around. We also have a neighbor who often brings his own (quite good) home brew. I’m bad about remember to do more on the non-alcoholic end, but became more aware of it when my sister-in-law was doing a serious diet and was trying to cut way back on alcohol. My brother’s New Year’s Eve party had a big jug of plain water and a big jug of cider, but no soft drinks are sparkly water. Our parties are never officially BYOB parties, but I’d guess about a third the guests bring something to drink. (Lots will also bring something to eat.)</p>
<p>When my daughter was married in Massachusetts, the groom’s friends from Colorado could not stop talking about the confusing street patterns. Where they come from everything is on a grid.</p>