Pick wines for me!

[CarolF Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close CarolF]

Somehow I knew this would be the perfect place to get wine advice.

We're invited to a graduation barbecue this month and I offered to bring a few bottles of wine.

I know nothing about wine.

Recently I was out to dinner with a friend and she recommended a wine which tasted a bit like champagne (was also sparkling), so once I find out the name of that, I'll bring a bottle of that.

But I'd like really specific recommendations on what wines to bring. (And by specific, I mean brand name and everything.) Also, how many bottles do you think would be appropriate to bring? (The barbecue is for about 15 or so kids and their parents. I want to show up with enough for it to be considered an appropriate gift, but not so much that the host will think I didn't think there would be beverages already there!)

Thank you for any and all advice!

Sharon

Here is another take on it. I'm assuming the 'graduating kids' have all just reached drinking age. I would take 2 bottles of wine that appeal to kids (sweet) and something that you would enjoy yourself.

DS has been invited to a string of parties this year where they are all just starting to drink. I've been buying, believe it or not, dessert wine (the kids usually 'discover' the wine early and by the time sweets are served there is none left). The kids have all been thrilled to have something to drink that they actually like and the hosts have been pleased by a gift not many people think to give.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Here is another take on it. I'm assuming the 'graduating kids' have all just reached drinking age. I would take 2 bottles of wine that appeal to kids (sweet) and something that you would enjoy yourself.

DS has been invited to a string of parties this year where they are all just starting to drink. I've been buying, believe it or not, dessert wine (the kids usually 'discover' the wine early and by the time sweets are served there is none left). The kids have all been thrilled to have something to drink that they actually like and the hosts have been pleased by a gift not many people think to give.

Not Sharon, but I am pretty sure this is a HS graduation party - not legal drinking age for the kids.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Glitter...thank you so much for the very specific recommendations. I needed that!

A few white ideas... am suggesting a couple that are widely distributed so you should be able to easily find them... a Kendall Jackson Chardonnay would do nicely - solid full bodied California chard, leans toward the oak. Retail around $15 - $17. If you don't mind spending a little more, I'd go with Stag's Leap - around $20 - 22. I am going on the assumption that the hosts will recognize both and appreciate the upgrade. If not the case, may as well go Kendall. Someone mentioned Clos Du Bois - it will be less expensive and should be fine.

I've been preferring the french burgundies... we recently found one that's a good value, but I'm having trouble coming up with the name - I can get it for you tomorrow. I can picture the label... it'll probably drive me crazy in the meantime.... I am pretty sure it's an Aligote, very reasonable and tastes like a more expensive bottle.

A Chablis would be nice, you should be able to find something nice under $20.

I don't like sweet wines, but for something a tad sweeter and very light, a Sauv Blanc is a good choice, though I can't recommend a specific label...

[CarolF Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close CarolF]

Not Sharon, but I am pretty sure this is a HS graduation party - not legal drinking age for the kids.

Thanks Glitter. Most of our kids turn 18 yo (legal drinking age) in their last year of HS, it's a pretty wild year.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

Knowing the neighborhood, I would definately pass on the white zin.

Unfortunately our Costcos ( at least in New York ) do not carry wines. That's a special treat when I'm at DOD's on the left coast.

In summer, I am partial to the vino verdes which are very similar to white wine spritzers in a bottle and in the $6 - $10/range. Casal Garcia is one brand I've enjoyed and I'll try to think of the other.

[3kids4me Super Moderator and Super Mom Find all posts View Profile Close 3kids4me]

Thanks Glitter. Most of our kids turn 18 yo (legal drinking age) in their last year of HS, it's a pretty wild year.

Carol, where do you live that the legal drinking age is still 18? I'm sure my son and all of his friends would like to take a road trip....

[3kids4me Super Moderator and Super Mom Find all posts View Profile Close 3kids4me]

Thanks Lawren. I did know enough to pass on the white zin, but I appreciate the other suggestion. I'm going to print the thread out and bring it with me to the store. I think our Costco may, in fact, sell wines, but it's funny that I've been in there a million times and never noticed!

Steve...thank you also!!

BTW, I think the sparkling stuff I had was a Pinot Grigio. Would that make sense?

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

How about a blush also. I like White Zinfadel (which is a blush).

Nancy

Mental note to me-Never have Nancy to my house for wine. She won't like full bodied wines. More important-Never go to Nancy's party where wine is served. White Zinfadel

[wackymother Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wackymother]

Thanks Lawren. I did know enough to pass on the white zin, but I appreciate the other suggestion. I'm going to print the thread out and bring it with me to the store. I think our Costco may, in fact, sell wines, but it's funny that I've been in there a million times and never noticed!

Steve...thank you also!!

BTW, I think the sparkling stuff I had was a Pinot Grigio. Would that make sense?

I don't think there's such a thing as sparkling pinot grigio. Our Costco has a liquor store in the same building, right next door, different entrance. It's run by Western Beverage. You don't have to be a Costco member to buy there. They have some nice wines, but the staff is not very knowledgeable, so you have to wing it.

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

If the wine is for a younger generation, (withholding all comments and opinions on the drinking age) I would suggest Austrailian wines as they tend to be more fruit forward which would be easier to drink. Rosemount diamond label and Penfolds wines are more fruity, maybe a Shiraz or a Cabernet. German Rieslings are flavorful and more often sweeter than a Chardonnay or Sauv Blanc.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

Thanks Lawren. I did know enough to pass on the white zin, but I appreciate the other suggestion. I'm going to print the thread out and bring it with me to the store. I think our Costco may, in fact, sell wines, but it's funny that I've been in there a million times and never noticed!

Steve...thank you also!!

BTW, I think the sparkling stuff I had was a Pinot Grigio. Would that make sense?

No, but the vino verde would.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

Mental note to me-Never have Nancy to my house for wine. She won't like full bodied wines. More important-Never go to Nancy's party where wine is served. White Zinfadel

Don, I have a pretty old T-shirt that says "Friends don't let friends drink white zinfandel." Now a red zin would be a completely different story...

No offense Nancy. To each his or her own.

[CarolF Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close CarolF]

Carol, where do you live that the legal drinking age is still 18? I'm sure my son and all of his friends would like to take a road trip....

Australia. They are adults at 18 (although you notice I still refer to them as kids). Driving age is 16. In the last year of HS some kids turn 17 but most turn 18 so it's non-stop partying. What is the legal drinking age there?

[wackymother Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wackymother]

Legal drinking age is 21 in almost all states. It used to be 18, but it's been 21 for about 20 years now?

[3kids4me Super Moderator and Super Mom Find all posts View Profile Close 3kids4me]

No, but the vino verde would.

Well that also has four syllables so maybe that was it. I'll ask my friend what we had and report back.

Vint...the wine is meant to be for the adults. (If these parents are interested in letting the kids have something, I'm sure the kids would choose beer anyway.)