Wine and Cheese

steveandsteph415

So I am an aspiring event planner (yay!) with one thing: I don't drink! My first drink was in Paris on our honeymoon, Champange that made me gag (sorry Paris!) but anyway I am having a Stella & Dot trunk show and wanted to do Wine and Cheese since it is an after dinner party. I do not want to ask my Wino mother for help because she will have me buying 70 dollar bottles that will just sit in my house. The people coming to the first party are barely drinkers but some will have a glass of wine...ect ect.

 Which reds and whites do you recommend I buy that aren't too expensive but aren't completely terrible. I want them to be nice but don't want to spend a fortune. Plus I am learning about wine and want to know what people drink!

 Thanks everyone!

julie5220

Rely on the pros-- go to a wine store, tell them what you are serving (food) and how much you want to spend.  If you have a Trader Joe's, they have a good cheap wine selection and often have great wine people there.

steveandsteph415

Thanks! I work near a Trader Joes, sounds like a plan!

Magdala9

When I host a wine and cheese party, I try to have two whites, two reds and a blush.  I like Rieslings and Spatleses so I always have one of those.  I will add a Chablis or Pinot Grigio (I dislike Chardonnay ).  For reds, I prefer Beaujolais, Pinot Noir and Merlot but will add a burgundy.  These are my personal preferences and since everyone has a preference, I try to have variety.   I always put out a large pitcher of ice water with lemon also.    Several online gourmet magazines have recommendations on food and wine parings. epicurious.com  and food and wine.com have been good to me.  I love pairing dark chocolate nibbles with a full bodied red wine.    Have fun!

TarHeels&Rebels

I don't really drink wine, either, and I agree it's a challenge to know what people will want.

I'd google for articles on great budget wines.  I tried the liquor store approach last year, and even though the owner had been in business forever, I confess that I ended up with only so-so wines...or so the barely touched bottles led me to believe.

My favorite (and I have tried quite a few whites, this is really the only one I'll drink) is Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling.  I'm thinking it's around $15.

I have heard great things about Trader Joe's wines on these boards for ages, so I'd definitely give them a try.  The closest TJ to me is 200 miles away, so none for me! lol

Wine Enthusiast

I love wine but am a pretty picky wine drinker.  While I prefer a $30 bottle, I have found a couple inexpensive ones I love.

For a red: Menage a Trois California Red Wine 2009  Its very smooth and can usually be purchased on sale for less than $10.  I have a bottle of this I'm currently drinking!

For a white: Ferrari-Carano's Fum? Blanc  Its a very light white, but not too sweet like a moscato or reisling, but not dry at all.  Much better than pinot grigios, which I hate.  I think they are generally around $15, maybe on sale $12?

Ally

You could certainly have mised drinks if you really don't like wine.  But, as a wine drinker (I generally spend around $15 on wine for everyday drinking) I would recommend the following:

red: Beaujolais (my DH jokes that it is a starter red - lighter than many others) or go with a blend of grapes and not a specific varietal.

white: reisling (generally sweeter) and pinot grigio (tart) would be my "go to" for a group, again a blended wine would be a good choice.

sparkling: my favorite for any occasion!  Asti are sweeter if that would go over better with the group. 

kcpokergal

Kung Fu Girl Reisling--about $15. Love it!  

wejustwant2:)

Hi!  For years now my DH and I drink (and serve):

Nathanson Creek (Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot).

We buy it by the case and it comes out to about 6.00 per 1.5L bottle.  It is from CA and has a frog on the label.

We have also had the pleasure of enjoying wines at a higher price point - including one that was 35.00 that we didn't care for as much.

These are great wines if you like fruity and dry.  Also... this time of year George DuBeouf Beaujolais and Nouveau Beaujolais (which will come out next month) are great options if you want to spend a little bit more.  Also - they would be good for you as a "starting" wine - since they're a little bit lighter.

Cheers!

wejustwant2:)

Re: red: Beaujolais (my DH jokes that it is a starter red - lighter than many others) or go with a blend of grapes and not a specific varietal.

I agree!  Sorry - I just went back to read the other's suggestions!

~W.

steveandsteph415

Thanks ladies so much! We actually don't drink at all - so this is super helpful!

SuMmErKuTiE

I usually stick to pinot grigio or white zin, but there are a few reds that I love and are budget friendly.

I love Red Truck (California) and Red Guitar (Spain)

agoodse

A Moscato is a sweet white wine that I've found a lot of my 'non drinker' friends actually enjoy.  I'd suggest Jacob's Creek Moscato.  It's super cheap at around $7 a bottle, but it's really the best in the price category of averaging $10 wines.  My friend's father is a liquor distributor, and this is what he recommends.