questions from a newbie...

[Kari]

I am not a wine expert, however I learned to cook (and eat) Italian food from real Italian imigrants. What Mr.A did, when he had his dinner parties (usually 20 people) was serve a different wine with each course. Also being experts at graciousness, he never assumed that the "appropriate wine" was the preferred wine. Since none of you are experts and are just good friends enjoying each others company- perhaps you should endulge your gracious hostess by buying a zin. Alternatively, you could buy a red wine for the main course in addition to the zin and turn the dinner into a wine tasting event as well. Zin is great with a salad, and true italian style would serve the salad seperately anyway. You could even go all out and get a dessert wine for the final salute! I personally don't like red wine- so I can't offer a good opinion on one, however if you go with the three bottle option, you could stay on the inexpensive side and get Beringer zin- which I personally like better than sutter home. Have great fun!
Kari