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