To want to drink nice drinks at a party if that’s what I take?

[TempleOfBloom]

We often socialise in groups at each other’s houses. I don’t like Prosecco, and always take Cremant or Cava, or if red something mid range and drinkable.

Then inevitably get poured repeat glasses of the cheapest available Prosecco or nasty mass produced generic red that others have brought.

Can I reasonably manage to open and drink bottles I enjoy, or should I cut my losses and also take cheaper bottles and glug it regardless? (I can do this, I just don’t really enjoy it, so drink a lot less, which is fine)

I’m not talking really expensive connoisseur type bottles that I take, just mid range drinkable.

Can you pour your own drink? Of your own bottle?

Tricky. If there is Prosecco or a red already open I think it would be rather princessy and rude to ask that your (ostensibly very similar) bottle is opened for you to drink.

I think of the bottle I bring as a gift rather than something for me to drink there so never get annoyed if it isn’t opened.

However I can understand the frustration of not enjoying what you are served - I don’t drink much these days and want something nice when I do. Not sure I can see a way round it though.

Just thought of a possible solution - always arrive first so it’s your bottle that gets opened and served ?? And ensure it’s chilled (if applicable).

I think you have to just join with the general flow of what’s happening, sorry.

Or maybe bring two bottles of what you like - once as a gift, and one to ask to be opened ?

Be direct. You're not keen on prosecco and you want to stick to drinks that agree with you. There's nothing wrong with that, why would anyone mind (especially if you're providing your choice)?

I did have this with soft drinks at a party for my son recently- he only really likes one soft drink (other than water/ milk). He is ND before anyone says “how spoilt”.

My Dd who happened to walk in first and was carrying them put them down and they were gone in a blink of an eye before he got to have one- so I went and got more - twice as many as before! Only way to ensure you get some of a particular drink at a party is to bring loads I think!

Nothing wrong with asking for an alternative if you don't like Prosecco but the bottle you take is a present for the host so I don't think it is right to drink that.

Exactly. Just say you're finding Prosecco gives you a bad head or something and you're going to stick with what you brought. Same with the red - "Does anyone want to try the Chateau Mid Range I brought?". I certainly wouldn't take offence.

If they are my friends I would just tell them that I don’t like prosecco and I’m happy to bring a bottle of cava.

We have a friend circle where two of us drink red, one has cava and the other beer. We all make sure there is something for everyone when they come over 🤷🏽‍♀️

Is Cava more expensive and fancy than Prosecco? I didn't know that.

I'm not a big drinker, only like one type of wine and if I mix brands find I get really hungover. I usually take a bottle of wine for myself, a bottle for the party and a gift for the host (wine, flowers, chocolates depending what they like). I just say when I arrive that I'm sticking to this wine and usually put it on the table where I'm sitting. I know lots of people who do this, never been any issues.

Not always but some Prosecco is cheaper than other Prosecco! And the difference is noticeable.

Some Cava is cheaper than other cava too

No, not necessarily, but it is different and not interchangeable.

Like the OP I don't drink Prosecco but I do drink cava, Cremant or champagne. I'll take a couple of bottles if I particularly want fizz (one for me, one for them!) and I'll let the host know that that's what I'd prefer to drink as Prosecco gives me a headache, or I'll drink something else, like red.

@LBOCS2 and
@GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing
I see! Thank you.

I think you have to assume everything you take is communal and bring more if you want. I take a decent bottle that I try and get opened earlier then the same junk that everyone else brings. I always take more than I need because generosity is what gets parties going.

I find it mad people have pals that they can't just say stuff to or worry about offending them about such miniscule stuff.
I'm also really glad our parties always are just drink what you bring (unless you fancy what the host is offering) and you just get directed to the glasses and ice.

I bring something for the table (and make sure the host is aware I’ve made a fair contribution), and then keep the bottle I’m drinking personally in a bag by my feet. I’ll only drink spirits as I don’t like anything else, and usually fairly expensive ones too as I find they give me less of a hangover. Ive been hugely fucked off too many times that the majority of people at ‘bring a bottle’ events turn up with a couple bottles of Prosecco or a crate of Stella, and then make an immediate beeline for my bottles of bathtub gin/ciroc/grey goose. The spirits ALWAYS go first ime when most people don’t think to bring any!

So are you saying the hosts snaffle the good bottes you bring and only circulate the cheapest stuff?

Decant into a Thermos & tell people it's your home-made pea-pod or beetroot wine.

As long as you don't say they way you have here i think it is perfectly acceptable. (You can get expensive prosecco and cheap cava so no need to be so awful about your friends who are hosting).

For close friends/family saying something like "i have been getting terrible hangovers lately but find this one works well for me so I will stick to this if that is ok. I have also brought a bottle to share/as gift. I can pour my own though don't go to any trouble of remembering."

This

I don't actually thinks it's Princess at all and as a Woman Of A Certain Age now I also find I can only tolerate a few glasses if I don't want to feel shit the next day. Therefore now choose a little less but always quality.

I'd hand the gift bottle identical to what I'm drinking (this avoid looking like a cheapskate) rob the host and then just breezily say in an assistive fashion "I'm going to open this Sarah - can I pour you one?" Or similar.

The real trick is finding a cool spot to squirrel my nice one away to hide it from the Commoners who bring cheap plonk then drink mine

I don't understand why you accept Prosecco if you don't like it. If there are a variety of drinks, surely it's reasonable to ask for the bottle you brought.

Could be wrong, but I’m assuming she means most people are contributing cheap stuff when hers is nice. So when it gets evenly shared she’s getting (for eg) only one glass of her expensive stuff, and then 4 glasses of everyone else’s cheap shite

That should say to the host. Definitely not rob the host

Just take 2 bottles of what you like- one as a gift for the host and one for yourself. Just tell everyone you’ve been getting hangovers so will stick to your own bottle.