Wine List for a Small Party

To be a crowd-pleaser at a party, a wine should be approachable and drinkable -- and have oomph.

For a small gathering or cocktail party, the wines you serve can be a little more offbeat or adventurous than those you would serve at larger functions. Wines at large parties should accommodate a variety of tastes, whereas you can take bigger risks with less-mainstream wines for a small group of close friends whose wine tastes you know. Nevertheless, affordable easy-to-drink wines are a staple at any party.

Muscadet From France

White wines for parties tend to be best when drunk young. Muscadets fit this bill, with their tropical fruit and melon juiciness based on a foundation of minerals. Its tart refreshing qualities make this wine popular; if labeled as "sur lie," it will have additional complexity and body due to exposure to its sediment. Good names for this type of wine include Domaine de la Quilla, Chateau de la Chesnaie and Chateau du Cleray.

Beaujolais Villages From France

Parties should have at least one white wine and one red -- for those who prefer one or the other. However, some red wines can serve as a transition wine for those who tend toward white wines but want to make the leap to reds. Beaujolais Villages is this sort of wine, with its "effortless" soft and fruity flavors that can make a convert out of white-wine drinkers. Look for Georges Duboeuf and Louis Jadot as exemplars of this wine.

Sparkling Wine From Argentina

Sparkling wines and parties go together; for a sparkling wine your guests may not have tried before, go for an Argentinian sparkling wine. It will be harder to come by than a Californian or Spanish sparkling wine. The taste will not be a stretch, however, as the wine comprises 70 percent Chardonnay, which, when combined with Chenin Blanc, produces a refreshingly crisp wine with peach and pear notes. Try CJR Reginato Blanc de Blancs from Mendoza, Argentina.

Petite Sirah From California

Petite Sirahs work for parties, since they tend to be heady, lusty and lively wines. Also, drinkers can appreciate the fruitiness with its jammy notes of blackberries and blueberries. Other flavor components encountered along the way may include cocoa, earth, spice and mint. Reliable producers of Petite Sirah include Parducci, Bogle and Concannon. It also makes a good wine for cold weather, so include it for a wintertime fete.

Sauvignon Blanc From New Zealand

If you're looking for a reliably delicious and consistent choice for a party wine, look to Sauvignon Blancs from the Marlborough region in New Zealand to deliver. These affordable white wines make for good partners for party foods such as chips or sugary treats, since their high acidity can stand up to the salt and sweetness. The grassy mineral kiwi and Meyer lemon attributes of these varietals come out best in younger wines. Choose producers such as Chimney Creek, Stoneleigh and Giesen.

References

• Slash Food: Party Wines
• "Wine Enthusiast Magazine"; Party Wine on a Budget; Gretchen Roberts; 2010
• "Wall Street Journal": How to Pick Wine for a Party
• "San Francisco Chronicle"; Party Wines: The Chronicle Recommends; Jon Bonné; 2010