Anniversary Dinner Party wines?

[SpankfordJ]

Hi - I'm hosting a 45th anniversary party for my parents. The menu selection is either chicken marsala or roasted beef in shallot sauce. I'd like to have a nice variety of wines on hand to go with either selection...but am at a loss for knowing what to get...or how much (about 45 guests - probably not all wine drinkers :< ).

[Drew]

Hi Spankford, what price range per bottle?

Drew

[SpankfordJ]

Price? Well I guess that depends a little on number of bottles needed...but generally trying to keep the total amount around $100. There will be soft drinks and beer available also.

[wondersofwine]

If they were all going to be drinking wine you might need 15-16 bottles which would not leave much to spend per bottle to keep it to $100. Since some may eschew wine, you might get by with 10 bottles averaging about $10 each. Bogle Merlot or Hess Select Cabernet Sauvignon or McPherson Shiraz are some red wine suggestions for the beef. Tomassi or another readily available Pinot Grigio might go with the chicken marsala or you might offer a light-bodied Italian red wine with the chicken dish. That was the recommendation of the waiter at a restaurant where I dined. Maybe a Dolcetto d'Alba if that doesn't put you over budget. Maybe have two bottles of white wine and the rest reds.