Calling all WINE-O's I need Help!

Oh I forgot to mention we are eating chicken and tri-tip, if that makes a difference to your suggestion. Thanks!!!

I'm so not a wine aficionado so I'm interested in what everyone suggests also.

I'm a bit of a wino, but I haven't had many $1-4 bottles of wine...the ones that cheap that I have had weren't too bad, it was the 2-buck chuck stuff at Trader Joe's. I don't remember the brand names, but that might help narrow down your selection a bit if you take a trip to trader joes!

I think for a white if you go with Pinot Grigio, you'll appeal to more people...since it's not as dry as chardonnay but not too sweet like white zinfandel. And a Merlot or Cabernet would probably be the best bet for red.

Honestly, the pickier wine drinkers might not love a wine under $4....so probabaly just focus on mass appeal with the types you get!

Thanks, and your right but hopefully all the pickier drinkers will understand that we're on a tight budget.

I'm not an afficinado of wines either but I love "Moscato". It's in the reisling family-white, sweet, sometimes crisp depending on the brand. Sutter Home is a great Moscato at $5.99/bottle. For a tad sweeter taste try Gallo at $7.99 a bottle (my personal fav).

We had a bottle of Moscato and a bottle of Merlot at each table. The guests loved it! We went to a wine/liquor store warehouse and purchased it by the case. Some liquor stores will give you anywhere from 10-15% off the price for buying in bulk, which in the end might put you closer to your price range.

Also- I've seen other wines like Arbor Mist in the price range of $3.99-6.99.

Good Luck!

I would hope that even the picky drinkers wouldn't complain about what was being served. No one should complain about something they are being provided free of charge!

Check out Somma: http://www.wallywine.com/search.aspx?page=1&keywords=Somma

And like Mz.Bolden3 said, most places offer a discount - always ask!

I am doing a toscana for my red that I got on sale at Trader Joes, normally $10 a bottle I got a case at 3.99 a bottle, for my white I am doing Red Diamond Chardonnay, I got a steal of a deal w/ a mail in rebate and sale combined tur out at 4.89 a bottle. I HAT HATE HATE sweet wines. Most of my family are fairly big wineos and would NEVER drink arbor mist or $2 Chuck (which actually costs $3 now.. WTF?? LOL)

I think it depends onyour crowd. If they are wine snobs there is no sense wasting your money on stuff that wont get drank..... but if they dont care I also recommend going to a trader joes, they ahve great sales and usually a wine person there that can help you make a selection!

I have thought about boxed wine, as long as the boxes can be hidden under the bar.... it would take some strategic placement (because even though it all tastes the same to me, box wine screams cheap!). And should i then make signs the place on the bar so guests know what is avalible?

Oh, don't do boxes if you can avoid it. In reference to the too sweet 2 buck chuck...they do have different kinds...I hate sweet wine too so whatever I had was pretty good. And you're right actually about the $3!! I noticed that last time I was there.

I do think TJ's would be your best bet...and yes you're right that no one should complain!!!

Oops! Sorry didn't mean 2 buck chuck was sweet, meant to be 2 different comments... their Chard. actually won a bunch of awards a couple years back, it's just so difficult to get past knowing ewhat it is LOL! I dont drink sweet wines or things like Arbor Mist was what I was getting at!

The 2 buck chuck at Trader Joes is called Charles Shaw. It is very good for the price. It price per bottle is about $3...if you a case it is 10% off. You can mix and match the different variaties in one case and still get the 10% off ...i believe there is about 6 different variates. I beleive this is what I will purchase for my wedding.

I had read somewhere that Crane Lake is made by Charles Shaw (not sure if its true or not) I found it at Total Wine for I believe about a $1.70!! so far it sounds like the best deal for the money

I dont know if you have a grocery outlet by you but I have found $14 bottles of wine ther for $3-$4 that were phenominal!

A friend of mine bought the boxed wine and just put the wine in caraffes on all the tables; one white and one red. Then you don't need the boxes at all.

Good Call analy! Even if you had a bar you could have the wine transferred into the caraffes bahind the scenes and no one would be the wiser!

Thats true! It might even look classier than traditional bottles. I'll have to look into that. thanks!

Some others to consider:

Costco sells Explorador which is a Chilean red - mix of cab/merlot in the BIG bottles for $8.99

At Trader Joe's: French Cat chardonnay & Bear's Lair chardonnay. They are each about $4.99

Yellow Tail, an Australian wine is very cheap at about $5.00 a bottle, and is actually drinkable! They have reds, whites, rose's.

I would stick with a Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc for white, and a cabernet sauvignon or a syrah for a red.

I am a wino and proud of it!

Charles Shaw all the way!!