ChangeMe
Grape Sorter
Posts:281
 | | 12/01/2003 5:16 PM |
| Here's a silly question........My entire family will be together at Christmas (1st time in 16 years) and there will be a few dinners leading up to Christmas. How many bottles of wine to satisfy 8-9 people? Would 4 be a minimum, or should that be higher? Six of the nine people love the grape!!
TIA
Jim | | | |
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Eric White
San Ramon, CA
Advanced Sommelier
Posts:9126
| | 12/01/2003 5:19 PM |
| | I would plan on one bottle per person. | | | |
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Joseph Bembry
Wine Lover
Posts:4857
| | 12/01/2003 5:22 PM |
| At least 8 bottles. It is better to have too much wine than to run out.
jb | | | |
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Budman
Master of Wine
Posts:11833
| | 12/01/2003 5:27 PM |
| | I agree with JB. Too much is better than not enough. You don't have to open all of them. | | | |
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mountainman
Mammoth Mountain
Wine Bottler
Posts:3113
| | 12/01/2003 5:33 PM |
| Keep a few extra handy as well   | | | |
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Bob Bressler
Napa Valley
Wine Lover
Posts:4809
| | 12/01/2003 5:39 PM |
| | My experience is that people like to try different wines. If you have, say, 5 different wines, people will drink more than if you only had one kind of wine. Beware, this can result in your guests starting to become silly... | | | |
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ChangeMe
Grape Sorter
Posts:281
| | 12/01/2003 11:20 PM |
| Bressler, my family is silly when sober!!
Thanks for the advice everyone. I figured I was on the low end, so I went out today and did some much needed qpr shopping to cover myself. I am planning on doing these dinners thematically, so there will be an evening of Zins, Aussies on another, & big Cabs on Christmas. I have a few goodies for them to try.
Tis the Season, but the first sibling who cracks the "wine snob" remark, will be getting the two-buck Chuck or Arbor Mist. Their choice!!
Jim | | | |
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ChangeMe
Master of Wine
Posts:12891
| | 12/01/2003 11:39 PM |
| | don't forget the chance of an off or corked bottle. always be prepared. | | | |
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gus fleener
gilroy
Barrel Filler
Posts:1343
| | 12/01/2003 11:49 PM |
| | i wonder if anyone who might have had a corked bottle of charles shaw has even noticed. | | | |
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Budman
Master of Wine
Posts:11833
| | 12/01/2003 11:54 PM |
| Gus...
Who knows? It might be an improvement!   | | | |
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Tom
Barrel Sampler
Posts:2384
| | 12/04/2003 1:37 AM |
| First of all, enjoy!
It really depends upon the group assembled. If it were a few from this Forum, you'd need to take out a loan. Yes, I include myself in that esteemed crowd.
If the wine is good, the family all enjoys each other's company, the mood is festive, and it is a long affair, 8 will likely be insufficient. If it is a quick eat, get and go, you'll be fine with fewer.
A bottle per is a real good estimate where you will seldom go wrong (except as noted in opening statement).
Have fun. We do! | | | |
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KillerB
Barrel Racker
Posts:1533
| | 12/04/2003 1:06 PM |
| | Hang on! First time in 16 years? If they are nor going to be drunk then you will need some as weapons. I'd get at least two per head. | | | |
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ChangeMe
Grape Destemmer
Posts:98
| | 12/09/2003 3:54 AM |
| | Bottle a head + 1,....................maybe 2. | | | |
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Eric White
San Ramon, CA
Advanced Sommelier
Posts:9126
| | 12/09/2003 4:04 AM |
| You know, one theory has it that the size of the standard bottle was determined by the conclusion that it was just the right amount for one person to consume during a meal.
Of course, there is an argument that, even if that theory is correct, alcohol levels were much lower back then, so it's not equivalent.
I choose to ignore the argument and just go with the theory | | | |
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