Affordable, decent wines for a group

You can go in a couple of directions when it comes to wines for the holiday table. One is to dazzle your guests with high-end stuff you wouldn’t splurge on ordinarily. This works well with small groups. For big fetes, most of us want something decent, but affordable. Among reds, I still can’t find anything to top La Vielle Ferme Cotes du Ventoux, available now in 1.5 liter bottles for around $12. For the price, this wine is incredibly respectable, and performs well with just about any meat or side dish you throw in front of it. As for whites, Whole Foods’ 1.5 liter store brand Pinot Grigio is also available for about $12. It’s errs on the grassy rather than stone fruit or citrus side, and it’s the kind of wine that won’t offend anyone. If it’s convenience you want, and the ability to keep a crowd happy, these two work well.