If you have a lot of holiday parties to attend, but only a little bit of money in the bank, you can still buy a nice bottle of wine to enjoy with your family and friends. Lynne Rossetto Kasper, host of The Splendid Table recommends wines for any occasion-all under $15.
The perfect wine for a traditional holiday meal:
Any white or red from Pepperwood Grove. If you're looking for white, Lynne especially likes their Pino Grigio or Viognier. If you want a red, she says you can't beat their Zinfandel or Cabernet. At $7-10 a bottle, she suggests you bring both!
If you're not sure what's for dinner:
Bring Marc Brédif Vouvray, for $12-16 a bottle.
Great wine to pair with chicken or fish (without cream):
Barefoot's Sauvignon Blanc. A steal at $5-10 a bottle.
Looking for the perfect wine to pair with spicy flavors:
Try Bonny Doon's Pacific Rim Reisling, for $10-13 a bottle. This wine can also stand in for a dessert wine.
Speaking of dessert wines:
If you're having figs, dried fruit, or gingerbread, try Moscato d'Asti, at $10-13 a bottle. For creamy, rich, or chocolate desserts (or with foie gras), buy Bonny Doon's Vin de Glaciere Muscat 2000. At $20 for a half bottle, it's a splurge, but Lynne says just a little bit goes a long way, and one bottle will serve eight to ten people.
If you're looking for a wine that you can sip by the fire:
Lynne suggests any tawny port from Australia. You can find them for less than $15 a bottle. If port's not for you, she also recommends Rancho Zabaco (Dancing Bull) Zinfandel, at $6-10 a bottle. She also recommends zinfandels by Dry Creek at $13-20 a bottle, or Heritage at $10-15 dollars a bottle.