Get ready to party

WINE:HAVING A PARTY this Christmas? The natural temptation is to cut a few corners and buy the cheapest possible wine. However, do spare a thought for your guests who have to drink the stuff! I have no problem with inexpensive wine, but I would strongly recommend that you buy a bottle and try it out beforehand. If you don't like it, it is unlikely that your friends will either.

Remember that there are wines, red and white, that are best drunk with food and very difficult to enjoy by themselves. I would try to avoid white wines that are too crisp and dry; all of that acidity is probably going to go straight into an empty stomach. I would also steer clear of wines that have been aged in oak, which can jar a little. Try to find a white with plenty of soft fruit, low to medium alcohol, and possibly even just a little sweetness on the finish. Sauvignon is a popular choice, but Pinot Grigio, Semillon, Riesling and unoaked Chardonnay will all do nicely. The more adventurous might look to Rueda, which makes some lovely fresh white wines, or to one of the very reasonably-priced Grüner Veltliners from Austria that have started to appear over the past year or two.

Sparkling wine is great fun, and can add a sense of occasion too, but again avoid anything too acidic. Prosecco is very popular at the moment, and usually has enough residual sugar to take any sharp edges away.

When choosing a red wine, avoid anything too alcoholic (13% is ideal, 14% the maximum) or wines that have high levels of tannin. This rules out Bordeaux and most Cabernet Sauvignon; Merlot, Pinot Noir and some Syrah/Shiraz will be much easier to take without a meal.

However, a glass of wine stimulates the appetite. I also find virtually every wine tastes better with food; a few tasty bits will not only enhance your wine, but should also prevent your friends from over-indulging in the first hour.

SPARKLING WINES

Cruse Blanc de Blancs, 11%, €9.99.At this price, you cannot expect a great depth of fruit, complex autolytic character and the mature biscuity notes of a fine Champagne. However, the Cruse Blanc de Blancs offers decent rounded, off-dry fruit, which should do perfectly if you are having a large crowd in. Even better, it would do very nicely in buck's fizz, kir royal, or as a base for any cocktails that your resident mixologist fancies making. Stockist:Dunnes Stores.

Prosecco Conegliano Valdobbiadene Le Contessa Extra Dry, 11%, €17.35.If you are having a party, Wines Direct has a range of sound wines at reasonable prices, including three different Proseccos at various quality levels. All are very drinkable, but if you are having a more select gathering, I would plump for the Le Contessa with its elegant pear fruits; you and your guests will be drinking a far better wine. By the way, extra dry with Prosecco means off-dry. Stockist:Wines Direct, www.winesdirect.ie 1890-579579.

WHITE WINES

Arthur Metz Alsace Riesling 2008, 12.5%, €9.99. It comes in a very elegant, tall minimalist bottle that looks very expensive. The wine is very good, too, ripe apple fruits, with a solid backbone of acidity and more length than you should expect at this price. Perfect if you are serving a range of nibbles. Stockist:Dunnes Stores.

Tim Adams Clare Valley Riesling 2008, 12.5%, €12.69.This has to be one of the bargains of the year. Regular readers will know that I am a fan of Tim Adams, who makes a range of excellent wines in the Clare valley. The price of this delicious floral, crisp, dry Riesling has come down by several euros, making it even better value for money than before. Again, perfect with nibbles. Stockist:Tesco.

San Giorgio Pinot Grigio, Venezie 2008, 12%, €11.Most inexpensive PG tastes of very little if you are lucky, and of wet cardboard and nail polish if you are not. Pay a euro or two more, and you should get an infinitely superior wine. This is one such example with lovely light melon and apple fruits woven together very nicely by a streak of citrus. Great everyday sipping or party wine. Stockists:Ardkeen Superstores, Waterford; Liston's, Camden Street, Dublin; 1601, Kenmare; Lord Mayor, Swords; The Wine Centre, Kilkenny; O'Donovan's, Cork; The Wine Cellar, Limerick; Searson's Wine Merchants, Monkstown; Jus de Vine, Portmarnock; Michael's Wines, Mount Merrion; Mac's, Limerick; Next Door, Arklow, Thomastown and Enniscorthy; Redmond's, Glanmire, Cork and Kimmage, Dublin; Walsh Wines, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin; Morton's, Galway; Nectar Wines, Sandyford, Dublin; McCambridge's Galway; Butler's, Mullingar; Garvey's, Waterford; Wicklow Arms, Delgany; Bin no 9, Goatstown, Dublin.

RED WINES

O'Brien's Karu Merlot 2008, 13.5%, €6.99.At an O'Briens tasting a few weeks back, I was very impressed with their range of inexpensive wines, and the reds in particular. Regular readers will know of my admiration for the Protocolo Tinto, and the Portuguese Ramos Loios (€9.99) has also featured as a wine of the week recently. In addition, I can recommend this wine and the Nero d'Avola below. The Karu has soft ripe easy plummy fruits, and a rounded finish. Stockist: O'Brien's.

Gamay Vin de Pays de L'Ardèche 2008, 12%, €6.49.I mentioned Beaujolais as a possible party wine recently. The Gamay grape does not often travel outside its native region very often, but this is an exception to the rule. Light in alcohol, light in easy strawberry fruit, with no drying tannins. Serve cool. Perfect with sausage rolls and other canapes. Stockist:Marks Spencer.

Il Meridione Nero d'Avola 2008 Sicily, 13.5%, €7.99.Nero d'Avola can sometimes be a little too dry to drink on its own, but this version, with its smooth light dark cherry fruits, can certainly be drunk solo or with canapes and medium-bodied meals as well. Stockist:O'Briens.

Superquinn Classic Collection Australian Shiraz 2008, South Australia, 14%, €8.A fairly full-bodied wine, but very drinkable on its own. Supple rounded plum fruits with a light spiciness, and an easy finish. Very good value for money, too. This would be ideal if you are serving a hot dish at your party. Stockist:Superquinn.

My favourite Australians

In conjunction with Wine Australia, I will host a tasting of my favourite Australian wines next Thursday, from 6.30pm-8.30pm in Fallon Byrne, Exchequer Street, Dublin 2. Tickets €20, from ireland@wineaustralia.com or 065-7077264.

Tuscan tasting

McCabes wine merchants will be holding an Italian wine tasting and dinner at The Gables, Foxrock, Dublin 18 next Wednesday. The event will include a tutored tasting by Antonio Zaccheo of Carpinto in Tuscany. Tickets are €55, from 01-2892174 or email value@mccabeswines.ie

An evening in the Douro Valley

The Gordon Ramsay restaurant at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Powerscourt, Co Wicklow, will hold a wine dinner on Monday, December 7th, with João Ferreira Álvares Ribeiro, owner of the multi-award winning Quinta Do Vallado estate in the Douro Valley in Portugal. The six-course meal will be accompanied by a selection of Vallado wines. Tickets cost €80.Book on 01-2748888.

O’Brien’s fine wine sale

O’Brien’s starts its fine wine sale next Friday, and it will run until November 30th. I recommend the excellent RV estate 2004 (€24.99, down from €33), and the San Felice Brunello di Montalcino (€24.99 down from €35).

More advice on festive wines

Ballymaloe House in Co Cork will host a one-day wine course, Wine for the Festive Season, with John McDonnell and Colm McCan on Saturday, December 5th. Tickets are €175, including lunch. Contact Ballymaloe on 021-4652531, or www.ballymaloe.ie.

jwilson@irishtimes.com