wine selection

[Jerry D Mead]

O.K., I'm going to get specific, since this person tells us she's not into wine and doesn't know brands and types at all...and these should be available even in the hinterlands.

For the red I'd go with the ever excellent Napa Ridge Pinot Noir...vintage not especially important...they've all been good. It will definitely be good with the Prime Rib and Turkey and won't be awful with the shrimps if they're serving that red cocktail sauce (the only reason I know this is I stumbled onto the combination at a Chinese restaurant once...I would have never thunk it.)

For the white, my first choice would be 1998 Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc (It has won four "Best White" honors already this year), but it is just being released...the 1996 and 1997 are very good also.

Both of the above wines are well within your price range.

If you feel compelled to have a Chardonnay (the most popular white wine with most folks), I'd suggest 1997 Hahn or Napa Ridge in the bargain range...Meridian is wonderful also.

A very good and even less expensive Sauvignon Blanc is Canyon Road...every recent vintage also a gold medal winner.

And you might throw in a few cases (bottles?) of pink...Delicato or Beringer White Zinfandel.