I know nothing about wine, what kind of bottle to bring to a friend's caregiver?

[Anonymous]

My friend recently went into hospice care and I am going to visit her on Monday. One of the things I am bringing with me is a meal for the caregivers, and I want to include a bottle of wine. The meal will be spaghetti with meatballs, garlic bread, salad, and dessert.

I never drink wine and know nothing about it. What would be a decent kind to get, but inexpensive (no more than $10)? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Any Italian red for $10 is a pretty safe bet.

[Anonymous]

That is a nice thing to do. Do you know anything about their wine tastes? (Or even if they drink wine?)
That being said, that meal says sangiovese/ chianti/ montepulciano to me.
This ones ok'
http://www.totalwine.com/eng/product/ruffino-il-leo-chianti-superiore/94503750

You can get a decent wine for $10. There are very few wines that are less than $10 that are good.

[Anonymous]

Blackstone Merlot is under $10, good for that price, and goes with anything.
If you can find Montes merlot and it's still under $10 (it used to be 8.99), it's also very good. It's from Chile.

Not quite as good but still reliable is a Cotes du Rhone they have at Whole Foods called La Vielle Ferme. If you ask the staff, you can ask for Red Chicken. It has a chicken on the label. (They also have a White Chicken.) It's 7.99 (sometimes on sale for 6.99) and a steal.

[Anonymous]

I am enjoying some Kirkland Chardonnay right now.

[Anonymous]

I am enjoying some Kirkland Chardonnay right now.

Nothing wrong with that, but with spaghetti and meatballs most people are going to want red.

[Anonymous]

I'm a fan of Cupcake's red blend. It's about $10 or just a few dollars more at most supermarkets.

[Anonymous]

This is really helpful, thank you PPs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a fan of Cupcake's red blend. It's about $10 or just a few dollars more at most supermarkets.

I'd go with Cupcake -- good, easy to find. Not fancy but fine for a spaghetti dinner.

[Anonymous]

OK, I found a bottle of Blackstone Merlot... do I need to chill it or bring it room temperature?

[Anonymous]

Room temperature. Red wine is at room temp. White wine ia chilled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Room temperature. Red wine is at room temp. White wine ia chilled.

Thanks again!

[Anonymous]

Caregivers probably can not drink on the job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Caregivers probably can not drink on the job.

Well in this case the caregivers are the patient's sister and BIL, with whom the patient now lives. Her sister is a nurse and is helping out with the hospice care. So, I am hoping that at some point they will be able to enjoy the wine.

[Anonymous]

There is one called "Apothic Red" that is a California blend wine. I really like it. I can get it at Costco or Wegmans for about $7.99. I've also seen it at other grocery stores (Safeway, Giant, etc.) for a bit more (like $10.99)

http://www.apothic.com/wine.asp