Recommend me wine- clueless

[puffysthename]

I’m sorting out the wine for a family bash to celebrate my dad’s 80th birthday…

Would really appreciate mid priced wine recommendations… white, rose and red. Am thinking Nyetimber for the sparkling.

Help! I haven’t drunk much in the last few years since having babies back to back and I knew nothing about tasteful choices before that anyway 😅

What is you definition of ‘Mid-price’?

Hmmmm I suppose 20-30 a bottle? Basically not cheap and nasty and not really expensive…

The one I'm drinking now is very agreeable. It's a Malbec called Sanglier Sauvage. And if you don't drink regularly it's only 12.4%, which is quite low for a red.

I have 2 reds I really like, Cabalié from Laithwaites, it's around £10 a bottle I think. My other favourite, which is served in some very nice restaurants locally, is The Guv'nor. It's from Majestic and only £7 if you buy a case. Is your £20/30 a restaurant price or shop price, because if I was spending that in a shop I'd probably go for a chateauneuf du pape but it depends on how many you're catering for...

Rosé - I recommend "Minuty" from Waitrose at about £18. Tesco also sell it although no cheaper. It's delicious.

Red - I love Fleury personally. It's quite light though but that's my preference. You can't go wrong with Cote du Rhone.

have you got a majestic near you? You could go and try some. Free glass hire too.

I prefer Ridgeview to Nyetimber…

I would say get yourself to Majestic if there is one nearby (with a driver so you can Sample). They are really good at advising and often have special offers, always a special price if you buy over 6 bottles. They also do glass hire if needed and sale or return on the wine.

I’m mainly a white drinker and my preference is French whites, especially Loire. I love their Sauvignons (hate NZ SB) and one of my other favourites is Picpoul de Pinet.

Both my DC had self bought wine at their weddings, a mixture of Majestic and Aldi as the supermarkets have lovely wine these days!

I suggest trying majestic. That’s a very healthy budget and you’ll get some good wine.

Maybe have a look at something like Naked Wines where you receive a range of wines, no need to subscribe. I've used a few times and haven't had a bad bottle yet. I have an £80 voucher code if you're interested.

What food do you need to match the wine to?
This is rather a vital question.

In my (very extensive) experience Nyetimber is one of the best NV English sparklers out there at any price, but unless you get a special offer the Classic Cuvée is in the £40 a bottle ballpark which is starting to get expensive for something to serve at parties. You could trim some costs by going for Chapel Down Brut instead, especially if you buy direct from the winery as a case of six is only £150 at the moment. Very few would notice the difference.

As for still wines, depends really on whether or not you're serving with a meal. As pps have said, Majestic is a good option for both bulk buying and for advice.

Brilliant, thanks so much for all the advice everyone 👍

We have bought Nyetimber for ds's wedding - look out for offers at Sainsbury's. Instead of £42 we paid £27 a bottle last week plus we now have a shed load of Nectar points. We did a taste test at Christmas with English fizz (wanted something local to our SE area) and it was the favourite.

Bouvet (Majestic) is a Loire Cremant worth a try if you are looking for a fizz for very large numbers.

Check out Tom Gibley the Wine Guy. He was a website and Ig page - lots of recommendations of all low to high prices, and the ones to avoid.

Personally, I have always felt that Chocolate Block is overrated. But, in my experience, it's hugely popular, goes down well and is in about your price range. It's a red blend from South Africa and is surprisingly well known even among non-South Africans.

For white, I would go with at least two types - something crisper and dryer like a Sauvignon Blanc, and something richer or fruitier like a chardonnay or a pinot gris or something.

htfwines.co.uk has a nice selection of slightly less common wines but might be tricky if you don't know them and are uncertain about what to buy. If yoyu did go to them, the Glenwood Chardonnay is always a great choice and I'd be tempted by the Groot Constantia Sauvignon Blanc. Cloudy Bay sauvignon blanc is always popular although Id' personally spend a bit less and get the Jackson Ghost one (Majestic). this one from Waitrose appeals to me too but I haven't had it

Check The Wine Society, I rarely buy wine from anywhere else, excellent selection of wine and at varying price points, even the lower cost own label is really good.

Head to Lidl and buy from their premium selection (in the wooden boxed section usually) they punch well above their price point. The cremant de Loire is a good sparkling, their own brand champagne is fine (I prefer the cremant), there’s usually reds and whites in the £10-15 price point that are really good

Dada ‘Chocolat’ is a real crowd pleasing (and very well-priced) Argentinian red.