Have had an email from a reader. Anyone?

Im having a house party at the end of July and was wondering what you might recommend as a good red wine to supply for my guests. Finger foods will be served at the party so an easy drinking wine I think would go down well. I know nothing about red wine so havnt a clue what to buy, although I want my guests to enjoy the wine I would limit my budget to say £6 ish per bottle

Your suggestions most welcome

Many thanks

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mel

This should tick most of the boxes and would also benefit from a light chilling if its a particularly hot day. Can be enjoyed alone and will work well with most party food, meats and lightly spiced dishes.

Grab it now whilst its on offer.

Also, for just a little over your budget, this will do nicely...

On offer at Waitrose.

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Yep, Im still here.

A Finger Buffet House Party requires consideration for your discerning friends who may wish to enjoy a refreshing white to kick off the event.

Advice - numero 1
Not all guests can drink red wine. At least 25% attending may choose a white in preference, cos they get a sore head with too much chunky red.

- numero 2
Plan de Dieu Côtes du Rhône Villages, Charmasson from Majestic - ask the manager to make sure they check the back label for the 2007 Rhone vintage. reduced £2 to £5.99 a bottle

- numero 3
Réserve Rouge 2007 Côtes du Rhône, Perrin et Fils from Majestic - A Finger Buffet and at least 30% of folks attending will recognise a decent red wine - so push the budget a little for them at £8.99 a bottle, but this is a good wine, so order some of these for the wine lovers - Must be 2007. Open the wine and serve progressively - notice who is enjoying these and serve accordingly.

- numero 4
The Party Planner Case 12 x 75cl Bottles from Majestic - save 40 quid on normal retail. £5.33 per bottle for the offer.
You get 4 half decent Cava for guests who bother to turn up on time, serve from the fridge. You get 4 Marlborough SB 2009 whites for folks who just wont enjoy reds, and, note the red folks who will knick this cos its good for the money, serve cool - straight out of the fridge.
You get 4 Yalumber 2008/09 reds for the boys who have to have this sort of easy strong coloured OZ with everthing. Make sure that OZ does not hit your pale carpets.

Go to the Majestic site OK, to check out these wines, get their phone number, because you to need to talk to them about the Plan de Dieu Côtes du Rhône Villages, Charmasson, to make sure you get the 2007 vintage. Delivery is free, so sit back and wait for your order to arrive with a couple of days notice. Wines not drunk can be returned. Glasses are free, but you leave a deposit for breakages.

I'm biased - I like Majestic - Wine is their business

JOB done, you may now invite me, your wine advisor.

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Duncan

Based on the following comments, I think the person who wrote this has the white covered..

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Yep, Im still here.

Sainsburys had Reserve Bonpas CDR on the offer shelf the other day on an 09 vintage going for 5.99
Dunno how 2009 was for a Rhone vintage but could be another option

Its gotta be Red

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Duncan

Duncan, thanks for the advice, HOWEVER, you forgot to say that she should order through the banner on the front page of this site, so that I get my £1.57. I group these commissions together and every year or so I buy myself a paperback.

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mel

My local charity shop sells 4x paperbacks for £1.

I cant remember the last time I paid the cover price for a book.

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Yep, Im still here.

Please accept my apologies Mel, sorry

I will remember, I owe you one for great TN's, sorting the wheat from the chaff I'll make it up to you - stroud when you're ready and well.

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Duncan