Party wine

I don't know exactly what's available to you in MD, but a few widely available wines that are (a) under $10, (b) crowdpleasers & (c) fairly dependable from vintage standpoint might include: Red: Borsao Monte Antico Antinori Santa Christina Cline Zinfandel Vina Alarba Old Vine Grenache Falesco Vitiano

White Villa Maria Sauv. Blanc Veramonte SB Latour Macon-Villages RH Philips Chardonnay

These are in an array of styles, but all at least are clean and of decent quality Dale

Dale Williams Drop "damnspam" to reply

Go to Corridor Wine in on MD 198 in Laurel

Just last week I was out chasing Bambi (who now is in frozen 2 pound packages) in the extreme NW corner of Colorado, a friend who owns a liquor store in Craig CO, offered me a choice of any bottle in the store--there weren't any first growths, or for that matter anything listed in the 1855 classifications, so she wasn't going to lose much, but it was a nice gesture.

I picked a bottle of Red Truck red, a blend produced for mass market consumption by Cline Vineyards. I turned out to be very pleasantly drinkable. A mix of syrah, cab sauvignon, petite syrah and a bit of cab franc, it had nice aroma, nice taste, smooth finish and made for a very pleasant quaffer.

When I returned from the mountains, I looked for Red Truck in the local stores and found it for under $10 almost everywhere. It also comes in a white, but still labeled "Red Truck".

Might compete for my not insubstantial Rex Goliath budget!

Ed Rasimus Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret) "When Thunder Rolled"

I can second these two of Dale's recommendations. (The others I have no experience with.)

I don't know what their prices might be on your side of the continent, but I have had consistently good results with most varietal wines from Columbia Crest Winery and from Chateau Ste. Michelle. I used cabs and chards from CCW for my folks'

-- Regards,

- Roy

=*=*Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. - Mark Twain The truth is rarely pure, and never simple. - Oscar Wilde

Hey Ed -- What vintage RG Pinot are you getting?? The last case I bought recently was still 2001 -- and the extra bottle age is showing. It's starting to lose the brighter cherry notes and is developing more earth tones..... Or maybe it just sat too long on the loading dock in the sun 8-)

All four varietals of RG that I've been consumming have been '01. My experience has been that the Cab Sauvignon lost a lot of rough edges after six months in the cellar. The Merlot stayed nice and chocolatey. The PN has done what you describe.

I don't drink enough of the Chard to really notice a difference--still a big mouthful.

Strangely enough, the local shop has got it on sale again this week at $4.99--eat yer hearts out!

Ed Rasimus Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret) "When Thunder Rolled"

Thanks for a great list of wines. I checked with Corridor Fine Wines. They have Antinori, Cline, Falesco and RH Philips Chard. We like a herbaceous Sauv Blanc, but not sure it is a good choice with a crowd. Are there any other white wine recommendations? We like crisp but not buttery Chardonnays. Rusty

In addition to the excellent suggestions you've already received, here are a few others:

Zins: Ravenswood Vintners Reserve and Rosenblum Vintners Cuvee XXVI Petite Sirah: Bogle Syrah: Echelon Pinot Noir: Echelon Grenache: La Vielle Ferme, Perrin Reserve or Torres Sangre de Toro Chardonnay: Fetzer Sundial and Macon-Lugny 'Les Charmes' (a decent and readily found coop wine from the Cote Maconnais)

Mark Lipton

Hey Rusty, Not sure how "wine savy" your guests are, but for the folks who might like an ice cube in their wine glass (no kidding) you could also include a cheap Piesporter Riesling. Been there, done that, and I have ice cubes and cheap Riesling ready for Thanksgiving (along with the good stuff).

FWIW :-) Dick R.

Raimat Chardonnay (from Spain) is nice, crisp and fruity, good value at about 8 (?) USD. Anders

I've am impressed with Trinity Oaks (California) Chardonnay. WW rated 88. $10 list 6.99 sale

Check out

Search on Trinity Oaks. This site has been very helpful for me as a former wine drinker who quit drinking for 8 years (relationship decision - not health reason) and recently returned to the fruit.

Chip L