Basic Arithmetic
Current drinking trends suggest you should order two-thirds red, one-third white. Buy in plenty of wine, allowing at least half a bottle per person; two-thirds if it's likely to be a long night.
Case Saving Device
Buy by the case, on a sale or return basis, and always ask for a discount. You may not get it, but 5 per cent is fairly standard; one bottle free for every 12 bought is not unusual; 10 per cent on offer occasionally.
Merchant v Supermarket
Your friendly specialist wins on service. Glasses, corkscrews etc can usually be supplied along with your wine, on payment of a refundable deposit.
Chill Out
No need to muck about with a sink full of ice cubes. Just put the white wine outside the back door for a few hours, and let the Irish winter do the rest.