Kansas City Food Blog

​You've probably had to cut corners in your home bar and there is nothing sadder than an empty wine rack. So in the interest of letting you shop smarter while still having the kind of bar that is ready should you suddenly discover your house has become a party, here's a quick guide to three wines that will help you through the rough times while making it look like you're living easy.

Your dinner wine should come from Burgundy. As the weather gets cooler and you move towards heartier meals, there are both deep and light red and white wines from Burgundy that are surprisingly affordable. It also has one of the widest range of prices, so, whether you're hosting your father-in-law or a regular Tuesday gathering, make sure to get some advice from the in-store staff. 

Your dessert or casual wine should be a riesling. This allows you to get away from the standard white wine offering of chardonnay or savignon blanc -- and you can even buy American for under $15 a bottle. Also, riesling doesn't have to be sickly sweet. It can be dry or just have hints of fruit, helping to class up your meal. 

Your sitting-and-sipping wine could be rioja -- a medium-bodied red wine that usually has fruit flavors and a bit of earthiness in the finish. The Spanish wine is also available in white varietals. I'd recommend the rioja from Bodegas Borsao -- it's typically under $10 a bottle, occasionally around $8, and well worth the money.

The riesling can be chilled over ice, while a dry red from Burgundy or Rioja can be enjoyed at room temperature. And with these three bottles on hand, you're ready for pretty much any meal or any guest's tastes.  

[Image via Flickr: rockinfree]