Can someone recommend a wine to bring to a dinner?

[MasterAndCommander]

I've been invited to a cousin's house for supper, and I didn't want to show up empty handed.
I have no idea what is going to be served, so the red/white wine thing is up in the air.

 

[IronWing]

Bring a bible instead. Everybody likes bibles, almost as popular as Madonna's "Sex".

 

[Bootprint]

Going on name, If you want white wine try Cat's Pee on a Gooseberry Bush. Might also be called Cat's Phee on a Gooseberry Bush in the US, I understand.

Other Cat named wines from New Zealand.

 

[doze]

Stop at a nicer liquor store and ask for a recommendation from a local or smaller vineyard. Unless they are really into wine there is a good chance they have never tried whatever you bring. Half of the fun of wine is trying new stuff.

Or just pick up a 12 pack of beer.

 

[aphex]

Buena Vista - Syrah (2004)

One of my fav's... Just got it in the wine club last month and we ordered a few more it was so damn good... ~ $15

 

[AreaCode707]

Goats Do Roam in Villages. It's a South African red blend that's quite good for the $13 or so that it costs.

 

[Legendary]

La Crema Pinot Noir, quite tasty.

 

[UNCjigga]

wine.woot

 

[Apex]

It's easier if you know what they're cooking.

This being said, a desert wine is almost always a good choice. That way, you don't really need to match it with the food.

Grab a late harvest riesling, or semilon. Pretty much anything that's botrytised (noble rot) will work. Just ask the person at the wine shop for suggestions.

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: UNCjigga
wine.woot

I haven't heard of that one. I have heard of friends.cab and friends.zin but wine.woot is new to me.

 

[davidsi]

i always like ravenswood. they have a good merlot, and its only liek 10 bucks a bottle

 

[MasterAndCommander]

Thanks for the input, I've decided to go for a Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon.

 

[Fritzo]

When in doubt, bring a white zin. Everyone drinks that, and it goes with everything.

 

[DainBramaged]

Kendall-Jackson Pinot Noir $12
Bella Sera Merlot $9
Red Stone Riesling $10

 

[gregshin]

franciscan

 

[GrassR00t]

Jest Red is a good table wine $9

 

[bignateyk]

Ravenswood or Toasted Head are both fairly inexpensive ($10-15), well liked wines.

edit: oh, and dont show up with white wine, unless you know they dont like red.

 

[axnff]

Originally posted by: bignateyk
Ravenswood or Toasted Head are both fairly inexpensive ($10-15), well liked wines.

edit: oh, and dont show up with white wine, unless you know they dont like red.

I'll second both points. More specifically, I like Ravenswood Zinfandel (not white zin). Not as full bodied as a Cab, not as boring as Merlot. IIRC, their motto is "No more wimpy wines" - on sale this one's the best cheap Zinfandel I've had, and usually popular even with people who aren't so big on red wine....

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: axnff

Originally posted by: bignateyk
Ravenswood or Toasted Head are both fairly inexpensive ($10-15), well liked wines.

edit: oh, and dont show up with white wine, unless you know they dont like red.

I'll second both points. More specifically, I like Ravenswood Zinfandel (not white zin). Not as full bodied as a Cab, not as boring as Merlot. IIRC, their motto is "No more wimpy wines" - on sale this one's the best cheap Zinfandel I've had, and usually popular even with people who aren't so big on red wine....

Great choices. Ravenswood also makes a good syrah.

I'd add to that a Chateau St. Michelle Cab or Chateau St. Jean.

If you have a costco near you, you should definitely try the Chateau Soverain Cab.

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: Fritzo
When in doubt, bring a white zin. Everyone drinks that, and it goes with everything.

Uhhh, no. Most wine drinkers avoid white zin like the plague.

 

[Manuwell]

I'll definitely go for a good white wine. Be sure to bring it CHILLED to you friend's and drink it just before eating. It gives a good atmosphere to the party and... well, I like it.

Either a Vouvray or a Viognier would be perfect when chilled. And a $10-$20 range would be good enough.

I don't know how many people you guys will be for diner, just count 1 bottle/4 guests.

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: Manuwell
I'll definitely go for a good white wine. Be sure to bring it CHILLED to you friend's and drink it just before eating. It gives a good atmosphere to the party and... well, I like it.

Either a Vouvray or a Viognier would be perfect when chilled. And a $10-$20 range would be good enough.

I don't know how many people you guys will be for diner, just count 1 bottle/4 guests.

I really like Viognier, but vouvray is something I haven't tried. Any recommendations as to a label?