A lot of us buy wine without planning to. We pick up a bottle or two at the store while we’re doing our shopping or on our way home from work. On the weekends, we might go to a winery and bring home a few bottles that we really liked.
The usual way of doing things is fine, but I’ll give you a cheaper alternative: Make a case of 12 bottles of wine that stays in your house, gets restocked as needed, and can be used for any wine-related event, whether it’s a weeknight dinner, a special occasion, or guests coming over. You’ll never have to rush out the door at the last minute because you forgot the wine again (what a terrible fate!). Plus, at least at first, you’ll save money because most shops offer discounts on full cases, sometimes up to 15%.
And don’t forget that temperature is very important when keeping wine. A wine fridge or a cool basement is the best place. Then there was a closet inside. The worst spots? It can be anywhere hot, like your home.
Keep reading for tips from wine experts on how to put together the right case of wine for any event, and while you’re at it, save some money at the checkout.
How to put together a wine case
Three bottles of regular red wine
Pick at random to make burgers? Want to eat a steak? Do you just want a nice glass of red wine? You’ll use these bottles up quickly, so make sure you have a lot on hand. It could be Cabernet, Chianti, or an Aussie Shiraz; it depends on what you like. Marietta Old Vine Red ($17) is always a great deal if you like strong reds.
Three bottles of regular white wine
An everyday white is just that: a bottle you can open on Wednesday night when you’re tired from work. That could be a Pinot Grigio for some, a Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc for others. You decide. While the Rodney Strong Charlotte’s Home Sauvignon Blanc ($18) is crisp, it’s a close second.
1 bottle of Everyday Sparkling
Scientists have proven that bubbles make life better. Having bubbles on hand that you can enjoy without having to worry about how much they cost makes it even better. Cava, Spain’s bubbly wine, is one of the best values you can get. The $20 Naveran Cava Brut is a great pick.
1 Bottle of White for a Special Occasion
Sometimes you need to make yourself look good, even if it’s just yourself. White Burgundies are sometimes some of the best white wines. Also, they keep well over time, so there’s no need to rush to pop the cork. Look for the Joseph Drouhin Côte de Beaune Blanc ($60), which has a lot of steps.
1 Bottle of Expensive Champagne
When a great event does happen, the only thing that will do is real Champagne. Do not go to the store on the day of. Instead, keep at least one bottle of something wonderful, like Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut ($79), hidden away.
One bottle of wine for dessert
Many times, a good glass of sweet wine is exactly what you need at that very moment, but you almost never have any on hand. Fix this. Vin santo from Italy, like the $50 Castello di Monsanto La Chimera, is great to drink late at night.
One good rosé bottle
Have one ready for the friend who is coming over and loves rosé so much. Rosé isn’t all the same, though, so spend a little (but not a lot) on a great one from Provence. A $23 bottle of Château Minuty M de Minuty will not let you down.
1 bottle of red wine for a special occasion
You’ll be glad you had an extra bottle of fine red wine on hand in case your boss suddenly invites you over or you forgot the one important thing (wine) when you were shopping before a big dinner party. What about a Bordeaux, like the $55 Château Bourgneuf from Pomerol, which smells like sweet tobacco?
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