Tesco.com - The Wineguide


			Weddings

Not all wines are welcome guests at parties. Big, firm reds or steely, high acid whites need more than a bowl of crisps or peanuts to strut their stuff. No, party wines must be fun-loving animals, suitable for glugging or sipping with nothing more than a Twiglet to keep them company. Soft, juicy reds and easy, generous-flavoured whites are what you need. Party whites are easier to find than reds. Look for fresh, fruity whites, from the latest available vintage. Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling (yes, Riesling) are good grape varieties to choose, but avoid oaky wines - oakiness becomes boring after a few glasses. The south of France (particularly vins de pays),Hungary, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Chile are all potential sources of good party whites. A word about Riesling: Australia. Inexpensive Aussie Rieslings are dryer than most		European examples, and make brilliant party whites. Australia is also good for party reds. Australia leads the world in swiggability. It makes just the kind of soft, ripe reds you're after. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz (or blends of these) are the grapes to go for. Again, the south of France is a good hunting ground, but add wines such as Minervois, Corbières and Côtes-du-Rhône to the vins de pays on your potential shopping list. The other great party red is Beaujolais. Beaujolais-Villages is about the right level for parties but the individual village wines (Fleurie, Juliénas, Morgon etc) can be a bit too serious.
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If you're serving fizz, think carefully before buying Champagne. Firstly, it's expensive, secondly, it comes from a coolish region and has pretty high acidity. A glass or two is delightful, but Champagne all evening can give you stomach-ache the morning after. For a fizz to serve all night long, consider a warmer-climate bubbly, with lower acidity. Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Spain are all in the frame. Rather like oaky wines, highly aromatic wines (made from grapes such as Muscat and Gewürztraminer) are more fun by the odd glass rather than all night. The same applies to very sweet wines. And don't forget those who may be driving home, under the age-limit or off alcohol for whatever reason. Always offer non-		alcoholic alternatives. So people don't feel too left out, make something fun and different. Use tropical fruit juice, or pineapple juice, mixed with some coconut cream and pieces of cut-up fruit. Or if it's winter, make some hot spiced apple juice, with slices of orange and lemon. Always lay in more drink than you think you'll ever need. Nothing's worse than running out just after everything's shut. Calculating quantities depends on the length of the party, and how thirsty your friends are! We usually reckon on half a bottle a head (with some not drinking, and some drinking considerably more!). And even though red and white wine consumption is about equal at the moment, white always seems to go better at parties. But over-cater when in doubt. You can always enjoy it the next weekend.

weddings