What kind of wine to buy??

[Deleted User]

I'll admit it- I love wine no matter if it's cheap or expensive.  There aren't many wines I can really tell the difference between (did this cost $3 or $25?  no clue).

I need to buy around 4 cases of wine for our wedding as we're providing our own alcohol.  The majority of our guests will drink liquor or beer but we're definitely offering wine as I know people will drink it.  A friend and I were talking about the cost of alcohol and she said cheaper wine (like that found at Trader Joe's) contains sulphites which will cause headaches and it's better to buy good wine.  So she was estimating $10/bottle. 

What should I be spending per bottle on wine??  I feel like $10/bottle is a lot but I'm not going to cheap out if that's what I need to buy.

Wine lovers- what do I buy??

jessicabessica

Sulfites naturally occur in wine and are also added.  I am not sure that a more expensive wine will have less sulfites.  Some organic wines have no added sulfites, which the label specifies.  I think of a $10/bottle wine as fairly cheap (not that I'm a big spender, but I just mean that even if your friend is right that more expensive wines have less sulfites, I don't think $10 is what those bottles would cost). 

I would go to a liquor store--Trader Joes is fine if they have a good selection and someone that knows what they're talking about to help you--tell them your budget (keep in mind you might get a case discount), tell them what you're serving, and ask for a couple of recommendations.  Look for wines that will go with your food and are generally crowd pleasers.  Try a couple of bottles yourself--invite family and friends over if you want help (it's a tough job, I know ).  That's how we picked our wines. 

We served Grayson Cellars Merlot and Big Claw White (a blend) with fish and vegetarian food.

ElisabethJoanne

Serve what you like. One red. One white. Don't worry about the cost (being too low) or other people's reactions to it. If you're really worried about other people's headaches, serve the wine in such a way that guests can inspect the label for sulfite information before they accept the wine. People should know if something usually gives them a headache. They can drink something else if they don't like the wine you like.

[If you need a whole couple cases of wine, plus other alcohol, you're looking at at least dozens of people, no? Among those people will be teetotalers and vegetarians and people with celiac disease and who knows how many allergies. You can't make absolutely everyone absolutely happy. So in your choice of food and drink, make yourself happy.]

Sue-n-Kevin

I would go to your local board and ask the brides if they have any recommendations on a wine store with a lot of selections.

We have one near us and just went and bought our wine last weekend. I went in asking for the following:

- dry/medium red
- sweeter red
- dry/medium white
- sweeter white
- dessert wines (because we are having an ice cream sundae bar later in the evening)
- medium priced champagne (we are not providing for toasts,but if guests want it, they can get it)

I told them I wanted to average about $10 a bottle. Their wine manager recommended great wines within our budget.............some were $7 a bottle, some were $15. We got 24 bottles for $220

Trust your local board, and trust the warehouse or facility to provide your choices. I don't know much about wine, but I do know what I like, like you. Out of about 80 guests, I have 20 fairly solid wine drinkers. I don't think they'll be disappointed.

Good luck.

KatiScarlet

Your friend may be misinformed about sulfites.  There is a trace amount that is created during fermentation, and the vast majority add extra afterwards.  I know this stuff because the added ones will kill my aunt.  If you really want to avoid them, look for NSA or No Sulfites Added wines like Badger Mountain (biggest one I know of) or Our Daily Red. 

But really, 99% of all wines have them added.  Some have more than others and will induce an instant headache (had one this weekend, it was Castle Rock Pinot Noir).  Other wines are more moderate and won't do a thing to most people.  I'm a fan of the Ménage au Trios for a basic red and I just found a white called New Age out of Agentina.  It's a lightly sparkling white, and you can serve it with a lime wedge.  AMAZING.

Go to Trader Joes or your local supermarket.  If it has a wine section, it should have a wine steward.  They will be able to help you pick.  I say buy half a dozen and try them.. Make notes about what you like and don't like, then go back again to give the steward your feedback and narrow down your next selection.  Good luck, and enjoy the tasting!

annie912

Just had some the other night from Trader Joe's that was (don't tell anyone) $5 a bottle. I really liked it. We're picking up two cases next time we're down there and that's the red we're serving. I think it was called "Benefactor" or something like that. He wrote it down as he's in charge of the alcohol. It had a skelton on the label. I know, real romantic, huh?