Having a party? Here are the wines you need to buy from the LCBO

Here’s what you do.

For parties of more than about 20 guests, good wine should tick three boxes. It should be easy to enjoy. So no love-it or hate-it styles such as heavily oaked Chardonnay, full-throttle New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc or, say, obscure volcanic whites that taste like salt and lava. The aim is to alienate no one.

It should not be expensive because, frankly, it doesn’t need to be. At large events, the wine is refreshment. A social lubricant. Not something to swirl, sniff and savour while it draws attention to itself. Attention should be elsewhere. So aim for a balanced, well-made sub-$15 per bottle for still, sub-$25 for sparkling.

And of course, the wine should be reliable and widely available. Big brands work well here because they tend to be both those things. And the familiar names put guests at ease.

The best white wine for parties

The best style of white for a large gathering is crisp, light-bodied and dry. Even better if the style is a darling of both newbies and seasoned aficionados. This is where Chenin Blanc comes in. It can be all those things even at lower price points.

A case in point is the 2023 Tête de Lion Chenin Blanc from South Africa (LCBO 32460, $12.95), a big brand now at the LCBO. This undervalued gem slips in with grace and purity, tasting elegant and vertical. Shiny-cool flavours hint at mixed citrus and melon, laced with beeswax, salt and a touch of stony-flintiness — all very allusive and unobtrusive. So if you want to quaff it, you can. But pay attention and you’ll notice it has a little something to say. Score: 93

The best red wine for parties 

When it comes to large gatherings, Cabernet Sauvignon is king. It’s well known and well loved by pretty much every red wine drinker, and it can overdeliver when you know where to look.

An excellent choice would be the 2022 Paul Mas Cabernet Sauvignon from the Languedoc region of France (LCBO 30749, $14.95). This deeply coloured, classically structured red offers that velvety goodness you want in a good Cabernet, but it’s juicy and easy drinking, too. It starts with the fragrance of muddled blueberries and homemade bumbleberry pie. Then, it glides in ripe, round and dry. Ripe fruit stuffing is scored with white pepper and toasted hazelnut that lingers on the finish. Smart buy. Score: 93

The best bubbles for parties

While Champagne is the archetypal choice for celebratory occasions, it tends to be cost prohibitive for a big bash. So reach for Crémant instead.

Crémant is sparkling wine made in France outside the Champagne region. It’s made the same way as Champagne, though, which involves producing a still wine, bottling it, then creating a second fermentation in bottle to achieve complexity and fine bubbles.

The NV Grande Cuvée 1531 de Aimery, Crémant de Limoux, France (LCBO 428086, $24) will please everyone in the room or garden with its easy elegance. Aromas of stone fruit, white flowers, lanolin and almond lead to a bright attack. Svelte, focused and harmonious, this blend of Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Pinot Noir is a beautiful brut-style for the money. And it comes with a fun talking point: the number “1531” on the label refers to the year French sparkling wine was thought to have been originated — in Limoux, where this wine is from. Score: 93

The best rosé for parties

A dry rosé is a nice touch for a summer party. It lends sophistication and works especially well at an outdoor affair. An excellent buy now on shelf is the 2023 Cellier des Dauphins Côtes du Rhône Prestige Rosé from France (LCBO 37193, $13.70). Each glassful shines silvery pink and nods toward redcurrant and cherry, apricot and orange blossom on the nose and palate, tasting sheer, bone dry and sunlit. Fabulous refresher in the afternoon or early evening. Score: 92

The best cocktail-style drink for parties

For guests inclined to reach for something sweet, consider offering a pre-mixed wine cocktail. The Romeo Peach Bellini from Germany (LCBO 485086, $12.95) is tasty and inexpensive. This blend of sparkling wine and natural peach juice tastes sweet but lip-smacking, with lovely purity of fruit. Pour it on the rocks — or just well-chilled — with or without finger foods. It’s a good buy and clocks a low 5.9 per cent alcohol. Score: 93

In case you’re wondering, none of the wines above are widely available in grocery stores.

A word on dinner parties

Different rules apply if the party is a bit more intimate, such as a dinner for two, four, six or even eight.

Here, the wine should pair perfectly with the food being served. The wines do not have to be expensive, but you may be able to afford to splash out a bit more. And yes, the dinner party is absolutely the right forum to stray from the mainstream and introduce guests to wines you’re excited about that they may not know.

You’ll find ideas for wines that tick those boxes in this column pretty much every week. So watch this space.