Wine connoisseurs

[ShitOnWheels]

So, my dad is having an engagement party for our immediate families this weekend, and I offerred to bring the wine. But I don't know what kind to get that will go with the food. So here is a list of what will be available:

Penne in vodka sauce
Meatballs in tomatoe sauce
Fried chicken
Sausage and peppers
Macaroni, potato and regular salads

I figure at least one white and one red wine would be enough. What would you suggest? I"m pretty sure there will also be champagne for dessert for a toast, but I don't think I'm picking that up.

[WildBillyT]

Most reasonable wine experts will just tell you to drink what you like with whatever you want. While it's true that wines bring out flavors in a meal, even a properly matched wine will taste terrible with a meal if you flat out don't like it.

The next thing is this-

How discerning are your guests' palates? If they are the type to put ice in their wine, you don't need to worry. If they are big "foodies" or know what they are tasting then you need a more careful selection. If you have a mix of both, get different types of wine and serve the better stuff to those that will care.

Anyway, I'll answer the question you actually asked

What you have there will primarily be matched with white wine. Since it is the summer, a chilled glass of white will be refreshing as well. Typically I go with a basic Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay if most people don't know what they are drinking. If I need to go a little more upscale I'll go with a Kim Crawford Sauv. Blanc (from New Zealand). Any more upscale than that and I do more homework.

As for the red, I will go with a Yellow Tail (very mass marketed! but still cheap) simply since most people don't care. If they do care I'll get something from Sterling or whatever catches my fancy. Stay away from the Cabernet since your food isn't that heavy. Go with a red Zinf, Merlot, or other medium-bodied wine. Do not forget to let the wine breathe. I've had some stuff completely change in flavor after being exposed to air for a little bit of time. This will lessen (or sometimes even get rid of) the "bite" you may get with some reds.

As for the champagne, Nando Fragolino is good. It's a sparkling berry-flavored wine that I've found most people prefer to traditional champagne. Not to mention it's much cheaper, and is therefore good for toasting.

[PBodyGT87]

A Chianti (red) is a great pair for pasta dishes with a tomato sauce of sorts. They have a fruitful flavor. And a Zinfandel is a great pair as well. Zinfandel is usually made with red grapes, but you can also have a white Zinfandel, which is made without the skins. Both of them also compliment the meat, since you're having sausage, but I believe a white wine would go better with the chicken.

[Untamed]

Red wine for red meat. White wine for most everything else. The blush wine (Zinfandel's) are more a social thing than any real table wine (meaning eat it with dinner). Though the Zinfandel's go well with fish.

Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay (white) and Kendall-Jackson Cabernet Sauvignon (red) are my two choices. Each of us will have different opinions, likes and dislikes so take these suggestions as my opinions only. They aren't expensive (less than $20/bottle usually).

White wine is best chilled. Red wine is best at room temperature (dont leave it in the sunlight!).

After dinner, if you want to wow them, consider a bottle of Porto. Grahams makes the best in my opinion. Any of them are good, however the Tawney's have the least amount of "alcoholic bite" to them. Its a fortified wine made with brandy, that is very sweet. Porto however is more expensive than table wines (like the Kendall-Jackson above).

Good luck and have fun!

[Tru2Chevy]

Heh....Genie, why didn't you just call Craig directly?

- Justin

[PBodyGT87]

Also, Craig probably knows some good pairings.

[ShitOnWheels]

Originally Posted by Tru2Chevy

Heh....Genie, why didn't you just call Craig directly?

- Justin

Cause that would have been smart, duh.

I realize everyone has difference tastes, but ideas are what I needed. I don't drink wine, so I don't know what would be the best so that those who do drink wine will (I don't mind bringing things as long as it gets used, whether it be food or drink or whatever).

My dad and his gf drink wine, but they are not upscale or hoity toity about it. That's about all that drink wine I think on my side. James' side, however, seem to be more classy with the wines, so I'd like to get something to wow them but mindful of my budget too. I meant to ask his stepmom when I was there yesterday and forgot.

[Tsar]

Originally Posted by ****OnWheels

vodka sauce

not to hijack but can some of that be saved for me?

[misterjuice]

Pinot Noir.........FTW

[Savage_Messiah]

Beer?

[ShitOnWheels]

Originally Posted by Savage_Messiah

Beer?

Already taken care of, lol.

[Savage_Messiah]

haha ok, had to be sure

[12secondv6]

Originally Posted by misterjuice

Pinot Noir.........FTW

That was DEF good!

Red wine person here

[Ian]

get the wine that comes in a box!

[johnjzjz]

in my family we make wine and the store bought best or closest is a Chianti the brand is ( Placido ) the vineyard was started in ( MCCXII ) its as close to home made as you can get most eatires in the Toscana Italy serve it as a lunch / dinner wine have only seen is in 2 qt bottles and shop right liquors has it most of the time around $18.00 --- jz