Ok so I am buying for the firm's holiday dinner and party. About 50 people, need reds and whites for the cocktail hour and then need another (nice) set of reds for the dinner afterwards at a nice steakhouse (for about 16 of us).
In terms of value reds and whites, it won't be too hard and I can pick many of these up at my LWS. I'm not going to go all out since most of the secretaries, presumably, will be trainwrecks. For dinner, I wanted to have about 25 bottles ready to go - all reds. I have about 2k to spend on these and I was thinking about trying some wines that I have been wanting to try but haven't pulled the trigger on before (Lewis Cellars, Beau Vigne, Scholium Project). I want about 15 cali reds and 10 old worls reds.
There are alot of places you could go. Have fun. You may want to consider offering a bottle or three of whites with dinner. Although I would personally prefer red with the meal, I am sure you will have those that want white, regardless of the pairing. Not many, but a few. May as well make them happy. Maybe some of the leftovers from the cocktail hour will do if you are having everything at the same place. You probably know the fortunate 16 that will be having dinner together, so you can plan accordingly.
"The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return."
You've got plenty of money. So, 50 people, then a while later, 16 people. Two grand, divided by 66 people (a bottle per person is fine), gives you about 30 dollars per bottle to work with. Lots of great choices for this money. Or, go 20 bucks a bottle for the early crowd, which will leave you $62.50 a head for the A-listers at dinner.
Remember, not everyone will have wine, and will opt for mixed drinks and/or beer instead.
Edit: Oooo, looks like you've got 2K for the A-list dinner alone? You're in good shape! Cali cabs, Oregon Pinot, and Rhones are what I'd hunt for.
-IB
"Wine only turns into alcohol if you let it sit."---Lindsay Bluth
Posts: 6208 | Location: Naptown | Registered: Nov 24, 2006
Originally posted by MiamiWineNovice: For dinner, I wanted to have about 25 bottles ready to go - all reds. I have about 2k to spend on these and I was thinking about trying some wines that I have been wanting to try but haven't pulled the trigger on before (Lewis Cellars, Beau Vigne, Scholium Project). I want about 15 cali reds and 10 old worls reds. Suggestions? Playing with house money.
25 bottles for 16 people after the cocktail reception? Seems REAL high to me, but I would like to party with you guys. Buying Old World locally that is ready to drink will be tough. I would go with 2001 Bordeaux from good chateau I could find as many are drinking nicely now, maybe also some CdP or N Rhone from 99 thru 01(NOT 02). CA cabs that I like available locally are Cliff Lede, Larkmead, Anderson's Conn Valley, Etude, Ladera, and Shafer. I really didn't care for Beau Vigne the one time I tried it. Oddly, a check of CT shows no CA syrahs I have gotten locally. I like Walter Hansel pinot available locally, but that varietal is not my forte. Agree with others that bubbly is a good idea too. Although, given the time of year and the lead time, you could order online which opens up a whole other world of selections.
"Wine is bottled poetry." - Robert Louis Stevenson
I think the old world wines will largely be a waste personally - After cocktails etc., unless you have some serious wine drinkers, more fruit forward wines will probably be more popular. Just an opinion
Posts: 2690 | Location: South Florida | Registered: Dec 30, 2002
Originally posted by Jcocktosten: I think the old world wines will largely be a waste personally - After cocktails etc., unless you have some serious wine drinkers, more fruit forward wines will probably be more popular. Just an opinion
May be more popular, but I think Old World wines often outshine New World ones when paired with food. Even more novice drinkers may discover that for themselves.
"Wine is bottled poetry." - Robert Louis Stevenson
25 bottles for 16 people after the cocktail reception? Seems REAL high to me, but I would like to party with you guys. Buying Old World locally that is ready to drink will be tough. I would go with 2001 Bordeaux from good chateau I could find as many are drinking nicely now, maybe also some CdP or N Rhone from 99 thru 01(NOT 02). CA cabs that I like available locally are Cliff Lede, Larkmead, Anderson's Conn Valley, Etude, Ladera, and Shafer. I really didn't care for Beau Vigne the one time I tried it. Oddly, a check of CT shows no CA syrahs I have gotten locally. I like Walter Hansel pinot available locally, but that varietal is not my forte. Agree with others that bubbly is a good idea too. Although, given the time of year and the lead time, you could order online which opens up a whole other world of selections.
You paying retail prices or restaurant for the VIP dinner?
Also, your choice on wines but obviously do not go with too many choices. 25 people probably means 4 bottles minimum per wine for everyone to get some. So, maybe go with 4 different wines. Last time I did this, we started with a Rhone, then some Cali Cabs/blends and closed with an Amarone (which was the hit of the night). They were all of restaurant list though (choice was limited to about 50 choices) and not nearly as many people.
First, I think you have already received some excellent and wise advice in this Thread!
Knowing nothing of your Company culture, I still think you should consider this:
The Red & White Yellow Tail is a very good budget wine for the 50 at the cocktail hour, and no more than a Liberty School level at the Steakhouse for 16. I, too, think the Old World wines would not be appreciated, or enjoyed, and would be a waste. Besides, think of how your boss will think of you when you return $1000, saying the wine quality wasn't worth the expense. Also, you still have the option to buy a good bottle to taste after everyone has finished dinner, or even a nice dessert wine.
For the 50 at the cocktail party:----- $350 For the 16 at the Steakhouse 15X$45--- $675
One more issue: When going to a Company Party, Company Officers should remember they are still being observed and evaluated (both by the CEO, and the rank & file)! You should always control drinking at Company Parties, both yours and the employees! Also, if you are responsible for the alcohol, make sure everyone is capable of driving home.
Originally posted by MiamiWineNovice: Ok so I am buying for the firm's holiday dinner and party. About 50 people, need reds and whites for the cocktail hour and then need another (nice) set of reds for the dinner afterwards at a nice steakhouse (for about 16 of us).
In terms of value reds and whites, it won't be too hard and I can pick many of these up at my LWS. I'm not going to go all out since most of the secretaries, presumably, will be trainwrecks. For dinner, I wanted to have about 25 bottles ready to go - all reds. I have about 2k to spend on these and I was thinking about trying some wines that I have been wanting to try but haven't pulled the trigger on before (Lewis Cellars, Beau Vigne, Scholium Project). I want about 15 cali reds and 10 old worls reds.
Suggestions? Playing with house money.
2k for 25 bottles of red at a steakhouse; approx 15 Cali reds and 10 old world?
My immediate thoughts:
Cal: Etude (esp vineyard designates) Karl Lawrence Karl Lawrence Reserves Gemstone Facets Portfolio Wine Drinkward-Peschon Seavey
That is basically the list of $50 - $120 CA Cabs that I think are woth buying. Depending on if you hit it on its sweet spot, you might add Neal and the SVDs to the list. I've also had decent Lewelling and Realm.
Old world: Rotllan Torra Tirant (Priorat) Finca Dofi (Priorat) Clos Mogador (Priorat) Flor de Pingus (Ribera) Alion (Ribera) Mauro Vendimia Seleccionada (Castilla Leon) Roda I (Rioja)
Tua Rita Giusto di Notri (Tuscany) San Giusto a Rentananno Pecarlo (Tuscany)
Of course, I would go mostly or all old world and be including Rhones and Brunelli, but...
"What contemptible scoundrel stole the cork from my lunch?" -- W.C. Fields
Originally posted by MiamiWineNovice: Ok so I am buying for the firm's holiday dinner and party. About 50 people, need reds and whites for the cocktail hour and then need another (nice) set of reds for the dinner afterwards at a nice steakhouse (for about 16 of us).
In terms of value reds and whites, it won't be too hard and I can pick many of these up at my LWS. I'm not going to go all out since most of the secretaries, presumably, will be trainwrecks. For dinner, I wanted to have about 25 bottles ready to go - all reds. I have about 2k to spend on these and I was thinking about trying some wines that I have been wanting to try but haven't pulled the trigger on before (Lewis Cellars, Beau Vigne, Scholium Project). I want about 15 cali reds and 10 old worls reds.
Suggestions? Playing with house money.
if you're buying at the steakhouse, maybe post the wine list for us. $2000 for 25 bottles won't get you far here in fort worth as far as quality per bottle. I would buy less bottles and have more to spend per bottle.
Posts: 272 | Location: Fort Worth,TX | Registered: Mar 09, 2008
You know your mission better than us, but unless you are trying to create a wine tasting, I would stick with one or two reds and one or two whites for the party, and the same number for the dinner. Perhaps not as much fun for you but may be more appropriate for the attendees.
----------------------- Randy Sloan, Owner / Vintner / Filler of Fax Paper Match Vineyards http://www.MatchVineyards.com
Posts: 1559 | Location: Napa Valley and East Bay | Registered: Oct 23, 2001
Thank you all for your insight. Awesome stuff as always.
I am going to grab some value wine for the first part of the night - I will probably go to Total Wine for those. For the dinner, which is going to be all reds per the people attending's wishes, I am going to go with mostly Cali Cabs. I will bring them with me since I cut an amazing corkage deal ($100 for the night with an unlimited number of bottles).
I am going to go with Larkmead, Karl Lawrence, Erna Schein and Tor to start - I will see what I can pick up along the way. I may just stick with that. I will most likely pick up a couple of nice Vintage Ports as well.
Good choices on the high end cabs although KL is not usually an early drinker.
quote:
Originally posted by MiamiWineNovice: Thank you all for your insight. Awesome stuff as always.
I am going to grab some value wine for the first part of the night - I will probably go to Total Wine for those. For the dinner, which is going to be all reds per the people attending's wishes, I am going to go with mostly Cali Cabs. I will bring them with me since I cut an amazing corkage deal ($100 for the night with an unlimited number of bottles).
I am going to go with Larkmead, Karl Lawrence, Erna Schein and Tor to start - I will see what I can pick up along the way. I may just stick with that. I will most likely pick up a couple of nice Vintage Ports as well.
