The best way to save money without disappointing your friends?- the follow-up wine

In yesterday's posting, I referred to the Abrazo Del Toro 2005 as a good "follow-up wine." What do I mean by a "follow-up wine"?, and why am I such a big fan of the concept?

I'll explain the idea behind a "follow-up wine" by using the example of a get together with a group of friends. When I have people over, I always want to start everyone off with a great wine. To do this, I always start with a Budget Wino Top Choice like Cellar No. 8. Top Choices are great wines to serve when your guests palates are fresh.

Supporting an entire evening of drinking by serving only a Top Choice wine can get pretty expensive pretty quickly. Most of the Top Choices retail just below $10 (with some exceptions of course). If your guests are big drinkers, you're going to find yourself spending a lot of money to keep the night going. To prevent a fiscal crisis, I like to use the "follow-up" trick.

It goes like this...

Once people have downed a few glasses, their palette isn't as sensitive, and wines that aren't necessarily as good tend to taste a lot better. So, when I sense this time has come, I like to switch to something a little more budget- usually a solid wine in the $3.99 to $5.99 range. No one ever seems to notice, I've never had a complaint, and my wallet has always thanked me. This "follow-up" concept really is a great way to go if you're living on a budget.

Give it a try and tell me what you think.

Comments

[Talc]

Been reading the Bible BW?

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%202:8-10;&version=46;

"The best wine is always served first. Then after the guests have had plenty, the other wine is served."

[Dr. Brazen Hussy]

Oh yes, I use the "followup wine" concept all the time!

[J.D. Roth]

This same principle holds true with non-budget wines, of course. My wife and I throw a couple of big dinner parties ever year. To start with, we have a couple *nice* bottles to share. Then we break out the Charles Shaw. Our average cost is still relatively high ($20/bottle?), but this way we get to enjoy some really nice wines before people get sloshed.

[Marci]

What, pray tell, is a "solid wine in the $3.99 to $5.99" range. I would love to find something decent (even for the third glass) at that price. Thanks.

[Budget Vino]

Marci,

Do you have a Trader Joe's nearby? If so, the Shannon Syrah is good and I think sells for $3.99. If you would go up too $6.98, I would recommend the Coppola Rosso or the Ravenswood Zinfandel.