You've invited the world and his wife, and her step-sister who's taken three whole days off from trading futures on Wall Street, and that guy who turned up in the pub last night after a year in Wagga Wagga. Your parents will drop in - and the au pair will bring six pals. Masses of people. Gallons of wine.
Simple economics are probably to blame for the dispiriting general rule which dictates: the bigger the party, the more poisonous the drink. Either that or blind panic about what to buy. For a successful monster bash, the same principles apply as for the medium-sized party discussed two weeks ago. Be generous, for the sake of an extra pound or so per bottle - aiming at around £6.50£7.50 if you can. Choose carefully, picking wines you know you like, or seeking good advice. You'll have the satisfaction of seeing the assembled multitude sipping away happily, rather than the unease of sensing your hospitality has turned sour.
In this week's suggestions, the wine formula remains the same as for the smaller party - but it comes at a lower price. I'm sticking with the Cotes du Rhone for a red and white pair which both offer plenty of soft, ripe, fruity flavours - precisely what's needed in a situation where food may be limited to the occasional handful of tortilla chips (your tasty canapes and dips having all been scoffed in the first hour). But, unlike many at the price, these Chapoutier wines go beyond that engaging fruit. They have real character, individuality - maybe because they are not merely organic but biodynamic.
For the New World alternative, it's back to Chile. Not without some vacillation and a southern hemisphere tour of samples, I must admit. Australia mounted a strong challenge, but over the course of a long evening - the only true test - quite a number of Chilean wines emerged as just a little fresher, a little less sweet and alcoholic, than a battery of Aussies at around £7. Once again, I've chosen Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot because they're (a) lighter and (b) less obvious than Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. Among the close runners-up to the Carmen duo were Santa Carolina, Errazuriz, Concha y Toro and the modest siblings of our reserva stars of two weeks ago, Santa Rita -all widely available.