I’m going to let you in on a little secret. When I am having a party or helping with large events, wine enthusiasts like myself know that that Grocery Outlet is a great place to find value wines at a great price. Did you know that Grocery Outlet’s wine buyers are industry experts? These are people who actually live in Napa, have lots of wine experience, and buy the best wines they can find at the biggest discounts so you can save.
I recently stopped at my local Grocery Outlet to start stocking up on wines for the busy holiday party season, and as usual, there were others milling around the wine section picking some fun varietals and blends. A lady next to me pulls out her phone to look at a picture and then said, “YES! This is it!” She had a great wine from Grocery Outlet and was there to buy a case of it for the holidays. The wine was about $5 per bottle, so talk about a smart purchase!
Most shoppers worry if they are picking out the right wine or a good wine. A sommelier once quizzed me, “How do you know if you have a good wine?” Put on the spot, I started to spout out my wine facts. He shook his head and said, “No, a good wine is one that you like.”
Ah, ha! Thankfully that logic has taken a lot of stress off me when I purchase wine. I now buy wines, sample them at home with my husband and friends, and if we like them, grab a lot more! Now is a great time to do some sampling as the Grocery Outlet’s November Wine Sale is about to start! Shoppers will hit the jackpot of savings with an additional 20% off their already low prices – but this sale only goes from November 1-7, 2017, so make sure to get there early! Remember, wine nerds like myself will be there to take advantage of this sale as well!
As I do entertain frequently, I have put together a list of recommended wines for a party so that there is something for everyone. Best of all, at Grocery Outlet I can get a great selection without breaking the bank.
The Holiday Wine Shopping List
Dry Bubbles
Bubbly or Sparkling wine is festive and perfect for the holidays. It pairs well with soft cheese and other appetizers. When searching for Bubbly, you’ll see the following options: Sparkling Wine (from the US), Champagne (from France), Cava (from Spain) and to make things a little more confusing, there are 5 major types of sparkling wines from Italy which include Prosecco, Lambrusco, Franciacorta and Asti Spumante.
Whites
I like to get a combination of what I call big whites, or creamy ‘oaky’ Chardonnays, and some lighter crisper whites such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. I typically grab a couple bottles of each as I have friends who prefer one over the other.
Look for the John Osborn Napa Chardonnay at only $3.99 during the November Wine Sale.
Reds
I generally prefer light red wines when at a party. However, I have friends who love the big juicy reds. Thankfully, I can get a combination of both and keep everyone happy with picks from Grocery Outlet .
Bordeaux – Grocery Outlet has a nice variety of French wines and specifically ones from the Bordeaux region. Even if you don’t know anything about French wine, grab a bottle or two. Not only do they pair well with rich food, but they are often lighter, a bit acidic and have notes of spice, vanilla, and smoke. Unbelievably, there are many wonderful Bordeaux wines available at Grocery Outlet in the $5 – $7 range.
Cabernets & Red Blends – If you like big fruit, cherry, chocolate with notes of tobacco and spice, get a variety of Cabernets and red blends with Tempranillo, Primitivo and/or Zinfandel. Handcraft Dark Red, a red blend, will be on sale for only $3.19 during the November Wine Sale. These wines are crowd pleasers and they pair great with lots of different cheeses.
And, speaking of cheeses, make sure to go ‘appetizer’ shopping while at Grocery Outlet.
I was able to find an amazing assortment of imported cheeses at an incredible value, plus organic and gluten-free crackers! Should you also be so lucky to find a huge French wheel of brie, try serving it with caramelized onions on top!
Watch my video to learn how to make this delicious brie appetizer and find out about the great party wine selection at Grocery Outlet.
Carmelized Onions Recipe (for Baked Brie)
Ingredients
- 3-4 large yellow onions
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
- You may make the onions a day or two in advance of your party.
- Thinly slice onions and put in a large saute pan with the olive oil. Turn stove burner on low.
- Occasionally stir for 40-45 minutes. Onions will turn be a translucent golden brown when done. If the heat is too high, they will scorch. Be patient!
- Add salt and pepper when done to taste.
- Store in an air-tight container when ready to serve. If serving with brie, top a round of brie with caramelized onion and put in oven at 300 degrees for 8 minutes. Cheese will be warm and melty below and delicious sweet caramelized onions on top!
- Serve with hearty crackers and wedges of crusty bread.