Which wine with Roasted Cornish Hens and Asparagus

[halopes]

I am entertaining 8 friends on Feb. 4th, and I'm making Roasted Cornish Hens with Roasted Potatoes and Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce. Can anyone tell me which kind of wine should I serve with this meal? What brand do you reccomend? I don't want to spend too much on a bottle, so I am thinking something in the range of 15 dollars of less a bottle.

[Innkeeper]

Hi Halopes, and welcome to the Wine Board. The only wine I can think of is Gewurztraminer; preferably one from the Alsace. but if you can't find one at your price look for a dry one from California.

[wondersofwine]

I like Pinot Noir or Beaujolais with roasted Cornish hen. Echelon or Mark West Pinot Noir would fit your budget or maybe a Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages. However, I think asparagus goes better with a white wine, especially Sauvignon Blanc. Some New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc fits that price range or possibly Honig Sauvignon Blanc from California. You might have both a red and white (both slightly chilled) and let the diners choose their preference. One bottle can serve 6-8 people depending on the size of the pour so you would probably want more than one bottle anyway for a group of eight and allowing for seconds on the wine.

[Jackie]

Wonders is right about the asparagus. For that reason, I would stick to a white wine if you are serving only one bottle. I'm wondering if a nice Prosecco (white sparkling wine from Italy) would work well. Any comments, y'all?

Also, if you switch the sauce from Hollandaise to a cheese sauce, the asparagus will be a little more wine-friendly. Pinot Grigio (aka Pinot Gris) would work well with this.

[hotwine]

Good points from Jackie. Prosecco would probably work very well with that menu.

[winophite]

One bottle for 6-8! Oh my, gosh I must be turning into a ....! Cheers WP

[winoweenie]

WP you must understand WOW is a dainty drinker. My idea of a bottle to serve 6-8 is a Methusala. WW [img]http://wines.com/ubb/wink.gif[/img]

[Thomas]

Love the Prosecco idea.
Look for Bellenda--great stuff, and get at least 3 bottles...4 is more like it [img]http://wines.com/ubb/wink.gif[/img]

[This message has been edited by foodie (edited 12-30-2006).]

[winophite]

Hello Foodie, Do I remeber reading vinofictions is your baby? Great info, keep up the good work. WP

[Thomas]

Yep, that's mine. Next up: the subject of scoring wine...

[halopes]

Thank you all for the replies and your help. I really appreciate it. I think i'm going with the Bellenda Prosecco, and I'm going to buy 3 bottles. I'm sure my friends will be delighted.

[winoweenie]

Are 3 of them dudeies non-drinkers? WW [img]http://wines.com/ubb/wink.gif[/img]