Susan Brock, wine director at The Grape, has a few tips for upcoming holiday gatherings:

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* As a rule of thumb, cocktail parties should include food-friendly\’a0reds and whites like Rancho Zabaco Heritage Zinfandel ($10) and Mer Soleil Chardonnay ($33).\
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*Because no turkey dinner is the same, selecting a wine can be tricky.\’a0Consider the style of the meal and the accompaniments when choosing your wine.\
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*It’s always a good idea to keep several bottles of wine on hand for hostess gifts, employees, impromptu gatherings and house guests. Louis Martini Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon ($17) and Kreusch Riesling Auslese ($20) are impressive yet reasonably priced.\
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Brock also mentions that it never hurts to have a few bottles set aside for yourself, and I have to agree! The Grape Wine Shop is currently offering a 10 percent discount on mixed cases featuring a large selection of wines from around the world.The Grape is located at 214 Summit Blvd. For more information, call (205) 970-7777 or visit www.thegrape.com.