Sparkling Wine

• Sparkling wine is often a nice touch at a party, no matter the occasion. Besides the fun pop they make when opened, sparkling wines can be a good choice because they go well with many foods, from appetizers to dessert. Champagne is often what first comes to mind, but there are many other less-expensive sparkling wines available. Cava and Prosecco are two options for sparkling white wine, and Lambrusco is a sparkling dry red wine.

Red Wine

• When choosing a red wine to serve at a party think about popular varieties such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Pinot Noir. Look for red wines with lower-alcohol content so guests can comfortably sip all night. California reds sometimes have higher-alcohol content than their Old World counterparts, so keep an eye open for that. Red wines from regions such as Chile and Australia are often good values that can help keep costs down.

White Wine

• White wine is frequently a favorite at parties because it is often lower in alcohol than red wine and goes with many types of party snacks. Go for a crowd pleaser such as Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. Consider less-expensive but high-quality white wines from regions such as New Zealand and South Africa. Try to keep the white wine chilled--but not too cold--by keeping it in the refrigerator or on ice.