Wines for my Dinner Party

[Abzal in NJ]

I'm hosting a dinner party in a couple of weeks and would love some tips on food and wine parings. It's a two course meal and I'd like to serve a white wine with the appetizer course and a red wine (or a bold white wine) with the entree.

The appetizer I'm serving is a savory carrot soup that will be infused with garlic. I would like to pair it with a white wine that is somewhat on the sweeter side -- unless you disagree. Any names would be very helpful.

The main course is braised chicken breasts with cloves of garlic. The chicken is seasonsed with congnac and white wine gravy. This will be served on a bed of wild rice with green beans on the side. Unless you disagree, I'd like to serve a red wine with it. Again, any recommendations will be very helpful.

Money is not really an object and but given that the party is for 10 people, I'd like to keep it reasonable. Nevertheless, this is a very important dinner party, so I'd like to have some wines of distinction.

Again, any help appreciated.